national electoral commission (nec)
15 Industrial Estates, Wellington, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Statement from NEC Chairperson
NEC Statement to the Media - 10 September 2007
On 8 September 2007, the presidential run-off election took place between the two presidential candidates that received the highest scores on 11 August. Observer reports have started to come in, and we are delighted to note that, this time around, it has also been widely accepted that polling was successfully undertaken throughout the country, despite heightened tensions in the days prior to polling. During polling day the voters displayed their commitment to the exercise of their rights with calm, patience and dignity and we were all happy to note that overall, polling day took place in relative calm and peace. As was the case after the Parliamentary and Presidential election of 11 August, it is vitally important that this atmosphere of calm be retained during this crucial tallying and announcement of results phase.
We at NEC understand the impatience to receive definite results. We want to reassure one and all that we will do our best to provide the final certified results as quickly as possible. But it is also important to remind everyone that the process will take some time. The process of retrieval of results is slow, but we are advancing at good speed. However, because we want to maintain the integrity of the process, we need to maintain the checks and balances to be completely sure that the official results reflect in its entirety the will of the electorate. Today we have only some partial results, but the pace will be picking up. The Commission will continue to endeavour to find ways to accelerate the process in ways that will still maintain the integrity of the process. Let me however emphasize that any results presented from today on are partial and they should be understood as such. Everyday we will bring you cumulative results, until the day when we can present 100% of the results.
Before we present today’s results, I want to appeal to all stakeholders, political parties but also national and international observer groups, to present to the Commission any information on complaints or irregularities that were witnessed during 8 September. It is our wish to investigate each and every case, but for this we need your input in a detailed manner, with concrete details. Sweeping statements or declarations do not help the work of the Commission or the credibility of the process. The earlier the information reaches us, the better for us to make the appropriate investigation in a timely manner and finalize the tabulation of official results. We thank all those who have complied so far.
