Mohamed Konneh has announced his decision not to seek a second term as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
This declaration was made during a two-day citizen’s dialogue session organized by the National Council for Civic Education (NaCCED) and the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown. The session aimed to strengthen democracy and promote inclusivity in the country.
Konneh’s
decision comes a year after successfully oversaw the nation’s multi-tier
elections on June 24, 2023. He reflected on the success of these elections,
expressing confidence in the fairness and transparency of the electoral
process. Konneh highlighted his open-door policy, which allowed the public to
engage with his office on various electoral matters, thereby fostering trust
and accountability.
The 2023 elections saw the introduction of the proportional representation (PR) system, which faced criticism from the All People’s Congress (APC) party. Despite this, Konneh defended the PR system, asserting that it could be a tool for unity if managed correctly with a minimum threshold.
He emphasized that the
PR system could reduce intense political rivalries that often characterize
elections in Sierra Leone. “The PR system can be a unifying tool,” Konneh
stated, “reducing the intense political rivalries that often characterize our
elections.”
During
the dialogue session, Konneh also addressed political parties, urging them to
focus on their strategies and commitment to winning elections rather than
concentrating on the Electoral Commission. “Political parties should focus on
politics and forget about the electoral commission if they want to win an
election. It is a question of how committed you are in winning an election,” he
emphasized.
Konneh’s
announcement not to seek reappointment has ignited discussions about the future
of Sierra Leone’s electoral processes. As the nation looks ahead, the
principles of fairness, transparency, and inclusivity that Konneh championed
will remain central to its democratic journey. The dialogue session at the
Atlantic Hotel highlighted the ongoing efforts to bolster Sierra Leone’s
democracy, with various stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to these
values.
In summary, Mohamed Konneh's decision not to pursue a second term as ECSL Chief Electoral Commissioner has significant implications for Sierra Leone’s democratic processes.
His tenure, marked by a commitment to fairness and transparency, and the introduction of the proportional representation system, has left an indelible mark on the nation’s electoral landscape.
As Sierra Leone
continues its democratic journey, the foundational values of fairness,
transparency, and inclusivity will be crucial in shaping its future electoral
processes. The citizen’s dialogue session underscored these ongoing efforts,
reinforcing the collective commitment to a robust and inclusive democracy.