Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah Esq. has formally submitted an application to the Right to Access Information Commission requesting a review of the decision made by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) to withhold information related to the certified and verified district-level results of the presidential, local, and general elections held on June 24, 2023.
In a letter dated July 28, 2023, Mr. Marrah had sought information from ECSL regarding the possession and verification of certified summary results for all sixteen districts by the respective District Returning Officers.
He also requested clarification on whether these results were verified by counting agents and made available to observers, in compliance with the Public Elections Act 2022.
Under the provisions of the Right to Access Information Act 2013, ECSL was required to respond to Mr. Marrah’s request within a maximum of fifteen days. However, as of the expiration of the 15-day period on August 18, 2023, no response had been received from ECSL. This absence of communication has been interpreted as a refusal to provide the requested information.
Consequently, Mr. Marrah has invoked Section 43 of the Right to Access Information Act 2013, formally applying for the Right to Access Information Commission to review ECSL’s decision to withhold the information.
The Commission is legally empowered to oversee and ensure compliance by public authorities with their obligations under the Right to Access Information Act 2013.
The legal professional anticipates a prompt review of ECSL’s decision in accordance with the legal timeframe.
Copies of Mr. Marrah’s application have been forwarded to the Executive Secretary of ECSL for their records.
