By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
The Tripartite Committee established to examine and analyze the outcome of the concluded June presidential elections in Sierra Leone which has been repeatedly criticized and questioned in recent months. As doubts continue to arise over the legitimacy of the results announced by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone – ECSL, it is important to critically analyze the role and function of the Tripartite Committee.
The Tripartite Committee also known as the Three-Ways Election Investigation Committee was set up to look into June 24, 2023 elections and proffer recommendations to government for proper electoral reforms. There are concerns that the government’s involvement in the committee’s work could lead to bias and favoritism towards the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party – SLPP. Several opposition parties have raised concerns about the impartiality of some members of the committee.
The committee has also been accused of lacking transparency and failing to communicate effectively with the public. This has led to doubts over whether the committee is adequately addressing concerns and ensuring fair outcome. Given the current climate of political instability and tension in Sierra Leone, it is imperative that the committee is transparent and accountable in its actions and decisions.
There are concerns about the committee’s ability to handle potential election disputes. With tensions high and the stakes so high, it is crucial that the committee perform its ultimate responsibility to ensure such disputes never arise in the aftermath of any election in the future.
In light of these concerns, it is clear that the tripartite committee needs to take urgent action to address them. It is time for the committee to take a more proactive approach in tackling these criticisms, by engaging in dialogue with political parties, Civil Society groups, and other stakeholders. This will not only improve the transparency and accountability of the committee but will also help to build trust in future electoral process.
While it is essential that the committee is given the space to do its work, it is equally important that it is also transparent, accountable, and well-prepared to handle any election disputes. Ultimately, the legitimacy of the outcome rests on the trust and confidence that Sierra Leoneans have in the electoral process and the Tripartite Committee must work tirelessly to win that trust and confidence.
