The United Nations Mission to Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) is mandated by the UN Security Council to help provide security for the country’s May 14th presidential and parliamentary elections.
UNAMSIL spokeswoman Margaret Novici says UNAMSIL has stationed seventeen thousand troops in twelve districts of the country. UNAMSIL is also providing logistical support for Sierra Leone’s electoral commission by helping move polling materials to various areas of the country as needed. The UN group will also help monitor the vote.
Ms. Novici says UNAMSIL does not assist political parties with money or resources, but it does help out with public voter education. For example, it supports the use of performers and theatre troops to spread the word about the up-coming elections. UNAMSIL also provides candidates the opportunity to discuss their platforms on Radio UNAMSIL.