SIERRA LEONE HOLDS SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000552

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA (BGRAVES)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2022
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE HOLDS SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF

REF: A. FREETOWN 547


B. FREETOWN 542

C. FREETOWN 508

D. FREETOWN 503

E. FREETOWN 501

F. FREETOWN 493

G. FREETOWN 484

H. FREETOWN 482

I. FREETOWN 481

J. FREETOWN 479

Classified By: CDA Elizabeth Pratt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Sierra Leone successfully held the
second-round Presidential run-off election on September 8,
thanks in large part to the professional and impartial
conduct of the Sierra Leone security services and National
Election Commission (NEC). Though observers reported
isolated incidents of intimidation and malfeasance, observers
do not expect the incidents to alter the final outcome of the
vote. International observers commented on how impressed they
were with improvements in the process from August 11. While
Freetown has returned to normal, anxiety and tensions will
likely rise as NEC methodically reviews the count and the
political parties grow impatient. END SUMMARY.

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SLOW, CONSISTENT VOTER TURNOUT
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2. (SBU) Most polling stations received their ballot
materials prior to the scheduled opening at 7:00 a.m., and
were able to open on time. As with the first round vote,
there were a few late openings, but most stations opened on
time. Reflective of the high tensions leading-up to the
vote, rumors--such as stories that some stations were given
invisible instead of indelible ink--spread quickly via radio
and cell phone across the country. NEC officials addressed
the rumors and concerns quickly and openly which helped to
ease tension. Though many stations reported some
malfunctioning equipment (i.e. hole-punchers or scissors) or
missing privacy screens, these problems appeared to have
little impact on the overall process as NEC officials
improvised appropriate solutions. In contrast to August 11
(see reftel I),voter turnout was low in the morning, but
remained steady and consistent throughout the day. The
ECOWAS observer mission estimated a 60 to 65 percent voter
turnout, compared to the 75 percent turnout in the first
round. Throughout the day, traffic in Freetown and
surrounding areas was especially light, although, unlike
August 11, there was market activity. The Sierra Leone
Police (SLP) and military police were highly visible and
deployed to most of the polling stations observed by Embassy
monitors and were stationed to strategic points around town.

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POLICE REACT TO IRREGULARITIES AND INTIMIDATION
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3. (SBU) Local and international observers reported more
incidents of voting irregularities and acts of intimidation
or malfeasance than during the August 11 vote. However, in
most of the cases reported, the police and security forces
responded to the reports promptly and impartially, thus
protecting the overall integrity of the process. In rare
instances the lack of police presence contributed to violent
crowd reactions to the alleged presence of ex-combatants
being brought to the polling stations by defeated
parliamentarian candidates. An Embassy observer in Kono
reported that a defeated Sierra Leone People,s Party (SLPP)
parliamentary candidate arrived with an entourage in a
vehicle with Guinean license plates. The entourage began
intimidating voters and threatening violence. However, the
local SLP responded and calmed the situation. According to
several press reports, police in Freetown arrested eight
individuals for carrying knives, bags of rocks, and other
such weapons. The RSO confirmed one such report in which the
SLP stop a car carrying several individuals with SLPP
propaganda and bags full of large stones.


4. (U) Other irregularities included reports that in some
stations 100 percent of the voters had cast ballots by
mid-day. The Independent Radio Network, which has been
announcing unofficial results from posted tally sheets
commented that in several stations no votes for one of the
two candidates were reported, despite the presences of APC
and SLPP party agents.
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CANDIDATES CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN
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4. (SBU) In the wake of election day, both candidates
continue to complain publicly about perceived injustices in

FREETOWN 00000552 002 OF 002


the electoral process. Though Embassy and other observers
reported the presence of APC party agents at polling centers
across Kailahun, APC spokesperson Alpha Kanu and other
continue to refer to the district as a &no go8 area for the
APC. Similarly, SLPP candidate Berewa stated that he was
&devestated8 by the abuse of SLPP supporters by the police
on election day. Both candidates have equivocated when asked
whether they will accept the results of the run-off, though
the press have quoted Koroma as saying he would accept &the
outcome of a credible election.8

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INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC OBSERVER REACTION
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5. (SBU) The second round vote attracted more international
domestic observers than the first round. According to NEC
statistics, 447 international and 8980 domestic observers
were accredited for both rounds of the election. In the
preliminary statements of international and local observers,
while deferring judgment on the final outcome, have
characterized the voting process so far as adequately
peaceful and free of intimidation. Many statements noted
that NEC addressed many of the lessons learned from the
August 11 vote, resulting in a smoother process and fewer
invalid ballots. The 64-person ECOWAS observer mission
commended the NEC for organizing the run-off in &an even
more efficient, transparent and credible manner8 than the
first round of voting. In its preliminary finding, ECOWAS
noted intense national divisions during the run-off campaign
and encouraged all political parties to implement measures to
transform themselves into truly national parties. The EU
Election Observation Mission and the National Democratic
Institute urged the political parties to refer their
grievances to NEC for investigation to maintain the peace and
tranquility. The NDI observer team also commended the
"high-level of professionalism" exhibited by the NEC polling
staff. All encouraged political parties, voters and the
government to continue to adhere to the constitutional
elections process and to address all challenges and
complaints to the NEC to ensure appropriate and transparent
investigation.

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LOGISITICAL ASSISTANCE FROM ECOWAS DEPOT
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6. (U) As with the August 11 round, vehicles and drivers from
the USG-funded, PAE-run ECOWAS Depot located in Freetown were
critical to ensuring that electoral materials were
transported throughout the country. The NEC will continue to
use these assets through September 16 to bring the ballots
and other electoral equipment back to Freetown. The UN
electoral experts who were assisting the NEC were extremely
appreciative of the continued support and praised the
vehicles and drivers as the most reliable and professional in
carrying out their duties.

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COMMENT
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7. (C) According to the constitution and the electoral code,
NEC has two weeks to certify the results. As experienced
following the first round of voting (reftel G),tensions may
rise as the country awaits final certification from NEC.
Thus far, neither political party has claimed victory and
both candidates have publicly stated that only NEC can
certify the results. In the meantime, however, radios across
Sierra Leone are tuned to stations broadcasting
round-the-clock tallies of the unofficial posted results from
individual polling centers across the country. Most listeners
are likely doing the math and presuming that the results
inidicate an APC victory. However, since these early results
have come mainly from the APC strongholds, the picture is far
from clear.
PRATT