News / Africa

Observers Praise Sierra Leone Elections

Richard Howitt, head of the EU observation mission in Sierra Leone speaks during a press conference in Freetown, November 19, 2012.Richard Howitt, head of the EU observation mission in Sierra Leone speaks during a press conference in Freetown, November 19, 2012.
x
Richard Howitt, head of the EU observation mission in Sierra Leone speaks during a press conference in Freetown, November 19, 2012.
Richard Howitt, head of the EU observation mission in Sierra Leone speaks during a press conference in Freetown, November 19, 2012.
TEXT SIZE - +
VOA News
European observers are praising Sierra Leone's elections as peaceful and well-organized, though they expressed concern about post-election unrest.

The country's National Electoral Commission is still tallying up the results from Saturday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

The chief of the European Union election observer mission, Richard Howitt, said the voting Saturday had gone smoothly.

"We describe this election as being a well-conducted election, it is conducive to democratic consolidation, that has occurred on an unlevel playing field but in a largely peaceful atmosphere," he said.

Howitt said he hopes there will be peaceful acceptance of the results.

Incumbent President Ernest Bai Koroma faced eight challengers.  The main opposition candidate, Julius Maada Bio, said Monday that his party had evidence of "rampant ballot stuffing."

The ruling All People's Congress party said the allegation was "fabricated."

These are the third elections since the end of Sierra Leone's civil war a decade ago.

The National Election Commission has 10 days to announce the final results.

If none of the nine presidential candidates wins 55 percent of the vote, a run-off will be held December 8.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

You May Like

Video Star Trek Influence Lives Long and Prospers

As new movie thrills, many are once again discussing the iconic franchise's influence on society, science and technology More

OECD: Developing Green Cities Key to Sustainable Future

OECD suggests strategies to mitigate rapid growth, industrialization in urban centers, which produce about two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions More

Video Safe Rooms Saved Lives in Tornado Disaster

Safety experts say more safe rooms are needed in areas where tornadoes frequently strike More

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video Volunteers Help Revive LA's Concrete River

The Los Angeles River is a concrete drainage channel through much of its 80-kilometer length. It channels waste-water from storm drains and has become a receptacle for much of the city's trash. But as Mike O'Sullivan reports, the river is slowly being restored with the help of volunteers, who take part in an annual clean-up.