NATIONAL ELECTORAL Vision The vision of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) is that of an independent, credible and well-resourced institution which promotes democracy and good governance by continually administering elections in such a manner that the results are acceptable to all. Brief History Sierra Leone had no formal Electoral Management Body prior to independence in 1961 but an Elections Office within a Government Ministry The Electoral Commission set up under the 1961 Constitution was replaced in 1994 by the Interim National Electoral Commission which conducted multiparty Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 1996. The Electoral Commission was renamed the National Electoral Commission (NEC), following the passing of the NEC Act in 2002. The restructuring of the NEC commenced in 2005 in accordance with the provisions of the 2002 Act. Thereafter, the NEC for the first time appointed its own staff in a transparent and competitive manner. The President appoints the five commissioners for a five-year period after consultation with registered political parties, and the appointment is subject to parliamentary approval. The functions vested in the Commission by the 1991 Constitution include: • The conduct of all public elections and referenda • The registration of voters • Delimitation of constituency and ward boundaries • Making regulations for the efficient performance of its functions. Successes • Restructured the Commission from a government agency to an independent electoral management body • Erected a modern headquarters building • Reviewed and consolidated all electoral laws which are now embodied in the Public Elections Act 2012 • Produced digital maps and pictures of all 2998 polling centres using GPS/GIS technology • Registered over 2.6 million voters for the 2012 elections using Biometric Technology for the first time • Successfully conducted multi-tiered violent free elections in November 2012. COMMISSION S I E R R A L E O N E MISSION The National Electoral Commission shall impartially serve all stakeholders in the electoral process, and shall undertake voter education programmes for the citizens of Sierra Leone as a means of promoting and sustaining democracy, good governance and an enlightened citizenry. Dr Christiana Thorpe, Chief Electoral Commissioner www.nec-sierraleone.org
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