Sierra Leone: UN reports huge voter turnout amid peaceful atmosphere

Voters in Sierra Leone have turned out in huge numbers throughout the country to cast ballots in today’s presidential and parliamentary elections, according to the United Nations mission in the country (UNAMSIL).

Radio UNAMSIL reporters stationed across the country indicated that the polling is taking place in a “festive and peaceful” atmosphere, with some 17,000 UN peacekeepers – the UN’s largest peacekeeping force – present in 150 locations.

Among those casting ballots were amputees, a visual reminder of the war that ravaged the West African nation, the mission said.

According to UNAMSIL, voters began queuing up as early as 1:30 a.m. to await the opening of polling stations at 7 a.m. Speaking live on Radio UNAMSIL this morning, Walter Nicol, Commissioner, National Electoral Commission, assured voters that as long as they were in line by the 5 p.m. official closing time, they would be allowed to vote.

In response to reports that some voters’ names were not found on registers at individual polling stations, UNAMSIL said the Commissioner also assured voters that as long as they had valid voter ID cards and presented themselves at the polling stations where they had registered, they would be able to cast ballots.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the country, Oluyemi Adeniji, departed Freetown this morning to northern Sierra Leone to witness the electoral process and attend security briefings by UNAMSIL commanding officers on the ground, the mission reported.

Radio UNAMSIL is providing 24-hour coverage, featuring live interviews with UNAMSIL Sector Commanders, who have all commented on the calm security situation, huge voter turn-outs and orderly queuing.

Some 2.3 million voters registered to vote at about 5,000 polling stations across the country, according to UNAMSIL. The results of the election are expected to be announced at week’s end.