ECSL Update: Payments to Ad-hoc Polling Staff for 2023 Elections
In a recent press release dated June 18, 2024, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) provided an update on the disbursement of payments to ad-hoc polling staff employed during the 2023 multi-tier elections.
According to the ECSL, a total of 48,229 e-vouchers have been issued to the ad-hoc polling staff. Out of these, 34,164 personnel successfully claimed their payments by the initial deadline in March 2024. However, over 14,000 individuals have yet to claim their payments.
To expedite the remaining payments, the ECSL has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and enlisted the services of Africell. Africell has begun sending SMS notifications to all ad-hoc staff members, providing instructions on how to claim their payments along with individual e-voucher codes.
Ad-hoc staff members are instructed to bring their mobile phones containing the SMS received from Africell, as well as a valid government-issued ID (such as a national identity card, voter ID card, driver’s license, or passport) for verification purposes.
The ECSL expressed its gratitude to all ad-hoc polling staff for their dedicated service, cooperation, and patience throughout the payment process. To ensure that all outstanding payments are completed promptly, ECSL and its partners have set a final deadline of June 21, 2024, for the completion of all transactions.
This collaboration aims to resolve the payment delays and ensure that all staff members receive their due compensation, recognizing the vital role they played in the successful execution of the elections.
