First visit of EU Election Observation Mission to Sierra Leone 2023 Chief Observer, Evin Incir – Day 1

EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sierra Leone 2023 Chief Observer, Evin Incir, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), from Sweden, has been in the country since last week to meet the mission's interlocutors and to officially launch the EOM. Chief observer met ECSL, various state institutions, political parties and candidates, civil society and faith-based organizations, media representatives. See a short summary with some of those meetings. Chief Observer met the Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, to discuss key issues related to forthcoming elections. Evin Incir also met with the Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, presented the mission and discussed the EOM’s mandate and ongoing election preparations. Evin Incir and Marcella Samba-Sesay of NEW – National Election Watch, Sierra Leone largest citizen observer network, discussed the pre-election environment and plans for the deployment of observers. Chief Observer also held a round table discussion with civil society organizations on their steps taken to promote inclusive elections, including through enhancement of women participation in politics.