The final report of the 2021 Election Follow-Up Mission (EFM) has been launched yesterday, February 16 in Brussels.
This was revealed by the Head of Delegation of the European Union in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Manuel Alexander Muller,at a lunch with media practitioners, held at the Country Lodge Complex in Freetown.
He said the final report took note of the progress made by the Government in implementing some of the recommendations of the 2018 EU Election Observation Mission,including the recently published government white paper on the Constitutional Review Process; decriminalizationof libel; tabling of the Gender Bill in Parliament; preparation of voters register by the National Electoral Commission; and holding of Political Parties Liaison Committee meetings by the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC).
The Head of Delegation reminded the media practitioners that as part of the EU Electoral support to Sierra Leone, an EU Election Follow Up Mission (EFM) visited the country between October and November 2021, led by a Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Norbert Neuser. The main objectives of the EFM were to assess the state of implementation of the recommendations of the 2018 EU Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) and encourage further progress in their implementation.
He said that the final report included recommendations aimed at improving the integrity and effectiveness of future elections, enhancing public confidence in the electoral process and strengthening democratic institutions.
“The EU is a strong partner of Sierra Leone in the area of governance and democratic and electoral support,” Ambassador Muller said, pointing out that under the new Multi-Annual Indicative Programme, the EU will continue to support Sierra Leone to pursue governance reforms and to consolidate peace and democracy.
“The EU will continue to support Sierra Leone to conduct peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections, and will provide technical and financial assistance to the NEC and other political and electoral management bodies,” he said, adding that the EU will support mechanisms for conflict prevention and mitigation, inclusive dialogue and resolution of disputes.