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Momodou
Denmark
11745 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Jan 2007 : 16:03:06
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"DEMONSTRATE RESPECT FOR THE LAW"
SAYS IEC VICE CHAIRMAN
By Amie Sanneh & Madiba Singhateh
The Vice Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Malleh Sallah has urged Election Officers to demonstrate respect for the law during the election period as stated in the constitution and Elections Decree No.78. Mr. Sallah also said Election Officers need to be impartial and neutral, noting that if any staff of the IEC is not impartial, it affects the efficiency of the IEC.
The IEC Vice Chairman made these remarks while addressing 120 Election Officers at a training on Election procedures at GTMI in Kanifing. The training was organised by IEC. He added that this training is being organised to address the deficiency they faced during the last Presidential Elections. He however revealed that the most difficult part in election is the counting proceedings. Mr. Sallah said one needs to be "very accurate" when counting. He noted that though the last election was successful, and they were pleased with them, there is need to address some lapse.
As Election Officers, he said they need to be seen as service oriented to the votes. He added that they are duty bound to serve voters as long as they have valid voters card. For his part, the course Director Joseph Colley said the objective of the training is to enhance the capacities of Election Officers countrywide. He added that participants constitute 90 Assistant Returning Officers, Divisional Commissioners, Security and two representatives of each candidate.
The people who are selected countrywide he said, will in turn train their colleagues in their specific region to ensure every part does his/her own work. The Director of Operation at the IEC, Sambujang Njie said they have 2,800 polling staff countrywide. He said seven police commissioners are also included in the training and they will in turn train their members in the seven regions Mr. Njie said the aims of the training is to close the gap encountered during the presidential election. For the National Assembly Elections, this is the first level of training conducted by IEC. A second one is expected to take place this week.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 006/2007, 15-16 January, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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