Sierra Leone election observers flag ‘statistical inconsistencies’ By Reuters

DAKAR (Reuters) – European election observers in Sierra Leone stated there have been “statistical inconsistencies” within the presidential outcomes revealed by the electoral fee, which declared President Julius Maada Bio the winner of Saturday’s vote.

The European Union Election Remark Mission referred to as on the fee on Wednesday to promptly publish disaggregated outcomes information per polling station to permit for public scrutiny of the outcomes, with out which it stated transparency was compromised.

Sierra Leone’s chief electoral commissioner, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, informed Reuters the disaggregated outcomes can be uploaded to the web site “sooner or later” however that it could take time.

Bio was re-elected to a second time period with 56% of the vote, narrowly avoiding a run-off towards primary rival Samura Kamara, who had about 41%, based on the official tally. Kamara has rejected the result, saying the outcomes weren’t credible.

The EU statement mission stated in an announcement that there have been inconsistencies between the primary and second batch of presidential outcomes, together with “notable discrepancies within the variety of common legitimate votes per polling state”.

It stated the outcomes additionally confirmed a strikingly low variety of invalid ballots nationwide and a really excessive turnout exceeding 95% in no less than three districts.

A spokesperson for the electoral fee declined to touch upon alleged irregularities, saying he had not seen the mission’s assertion.

The USA, Britain, Eire, Germany, France and the EU stated on Wednesday they shared the considerations about lack of transparency within the tabulation course of, and that important logistical issues had hampered voting in sure areas.

“We urge everybody to train restraint, respect the rule of legislation, and have interaction in peaceable dialogue to resolve disputes,” they stated in a joint assertion.