By: Hassan Osman Kargbo

Following a high level of violence and political tensions on polling day, the National Returning Officer for the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has confirmed to press men that counting of early voting ballots did not take place in the Western Urban, western Rural and Bombali district.

Mohamed Konneh made this statement on Sunday 25th June 2023, at their Head office O.A Drive Towa Hill, Freetown.

According to Commissioner Konnah, in the Western Rural the early counting of vote was prevented by an armed police officer stationed in Waterloo. In Western Rural, a Delta police officer stationed at centre code 15012 R.E.C primary school, Waterloo prevented the counting of early voting,” he said.

He continued that the prevention of early counting caused huge tension at the said polling station, and unless the ECSL Assistance Director had to be there to calm the situation down. “This caused huge tension and the ECSL Assistance Director had to be whisked away the commanding officer at Tombo police station,” he said.

He added that the commission will make decision on the next step towards the said matter.

Konneh also furthered that some polling stations did not open on time and assort voting goes beyond the stipulated time to ensure all those that are already in the queue voted.

According to him, in some polling stations voting went on till 11:30 pm and counting began after was. “At polling center code 16148 St. Anna school for instance, voting went on till 11:30 pm and counting was done in the presence of political parties’ agents and observers. Similarly, at polling center code 16140 Amaria school, polling continued till around 10:30 pm in the presence of party agents and observers,” he added.

He however, confirmed that the RRF’s had been received at their district office and informed all present that tallying had begun in all their regional tally center since morning.