ECSL Boss Mohamed Konneh
By Mohamed Kamara
The Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mr. Raymond A.N. George has informed members of the press that the ongoing registration process is targeting a total of 3.5 million voters nationwide.
Mr. George made this statement on Thursday 8th September 2022, during the Weekly Government Press Briefing, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications.
The ECSL Director of Communications stated further that the ongoing registration process has provided a temporary employment for 7,268 registration staff in 1,875 registration centers across the country. He added that since the commencement of the registration exercise on Saturday 3rd September 2022, they have registered a total of 41,460 voters. To ensure effectiveness of the ongoing voters registration exercise, he said that, they procured 2,000 VVK, laptops for Biometric Voter Registration, Identification and Software Accessories. Mr. George admitted that there were minor flaws at the beginning of the voters’ registration exercise, which have been addressed. He went further to say that the flaws were due to inadequate electricity supply and identification of first time voters who have never registered with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA). Mr. George castigated some social media users for unfairly tarnishing the reputation of their staff. He assured that they are willing and ready to conduct a free, fair and credible voter’s registration exercise.
When asked by this medium whether there will be prolongation concessions for people living in the Diaspora, Mr. George retorted by stating that for now, it is uncertain whether there will be a prolongation of the process. He also urged on the Diasporas to visit their website and read the ECSL Page which gives a precise information on how to register while outside Sierra Leone. However, Mr. George could not tell the total sum of money that will be used in the registration exercise.