Earlier today, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio was officially presented with the Certificate of Return, confirming his victory in the June 24 elections.
The Chairman and National Returning Officer of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mr. Mohamed Konneh, bestowed the prestigious certificate upon the re-elected President.
During the ceremony, Commissioner Mohamed Konneh praised the peaceful and credible nature of the multi-tier elections, emphasizing that the results accurately reflected the will of the Sierra Leonean people.
He commended President Bio for his diligent planning and hard work throughout 2022, which contributed to the smooth electoral process.
The Commissioner expressed the Commission’s pride and honor in presenting the President with the Certificate of Presidential Election.
In addition to the certificate, Mr. Konneh presented the ECSL’s 2022 Annual Report to President Bio.
He congratulated the President on his re-election and highlighted the constitutional obligation of the ECSL to submit an annual report to the President, which would subsequently be laid before parliament.
The report outlined the key achievements of the Commission, including the successful conduct of elections for Paramount Chiefs, the implementation of policy decisions, legal reforms, and voter registration.
Expressing gratitude, Mr. Konneh thanked President Bio and his government for providing the necessary funding for the elections.
He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of ECOWAS, political parties, and partners in ensuring the success and peacefulness of the multi-tier elections.
President Julius Maada Bio expressed his delight upon receiving the ECSL’s 2022 Annual Report and the Certificate of Presidential Election.
He recognized the Commission’s dedicated efforts and applauded their execution of the electoral mandate.
The President emphasized that the elections were conducted freely and fairly, with the results speaking for themselves. He encouraged the Commission and its members to continue their hard work.
Furthermore, President Bio used the occasion to call upon all Sierra Leoneans to accept the democratic process, acknowledging that the event had passed and that democracy was an ongoing journey.
He commended the ECSL for their experience in managing elections since the end of the war, indicating their familiarity with the challenges faced before, during, and after the electoral process.
Overall, the presentation of the Certificate of Return and the Annual Report served as a significant milestone for President Julius Maada Bio, affirming his re-election and recognizing the accomplishments of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone.
