By Martin Malamah-Thomas
Sierra Leone is a country with a rich history and culture, but it has faced its fair share of challenges. From a brutal civil war to devastating epidemics such as Ebola and Covid-19, the people of Sierra Leone have shown resilience in the face of adversity. However, one area that could use improvement is the electoral process.
In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the state of the economy, high unemployment, and political violence in Sierra Leone. These issues have led to mounting frustration among citizens and calls for change. In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, tensions were high as opposition parties protested against allegations of electoral fraud.
So, what can be done to improve the electoral process in Sierra Leone? One solution could be to enhance the capacity of institutions responsible for organizing elections, such as the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC), the Judiciary, and the Security Sector. By improving their credibility and trustworthiness, these institutions can help ensure that elections are peaceful, credible, and inclusive.
There are several ways to enhance the capacity of institutions responsible for organizing elections. One way is to remove barriers to participation and implement policies and procedures that make it easier for people to vote. This can involve initiatives such as voter education campaigns, civic engagement programs, or automatic voter registration.
Another way to enhance the capacity of these institutions is to promote transparency and accountability. This can involve measures such as increasing funding for oversight bodies, implementing stronger anti-corruption measures, or improving access to information.
Technology can make a big difference in improving elections in Sierra Leone. For example, technology can be used to educate and motivate voters through the use of big data and artificial intelligence technologies. These technologies can help provide voters with more information about candidates and issues, making it easier for them to make informed decisions.
Technology can also be used to retire paper-based voting systems and implement more modern systems that reflect how people do everything else in their lives — through a mobile device or an online voting system. This could mean faster, more accurate results.
In addition, technology can be used to increase voter participation by providing members with quick, easy, convenient, and secure options to cast their ballots. For example, the ability to cast votes on a mobile device could potentially have a powerful effect on voter turnout while drastically lowering the cost of voting. Overall, technology has the potential to revolutionize the voting process by making it more accessible, efficient, and secure.
International organizations such as USAID also provide support for credible elections by analyzing the country’s political dynamics, assessing the key electoral stakeholders’ level of commitment and capacities, and designing and prioritizing support accordingly.
Enhancing the capacity of institutions responsible for organizing elections involves a combination of policy changes, increased funding, and targeted support to improve their effectiveness and credibility.