Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) fairness and (b) ease of access to (i) polling and (ii) political information in Sierra Leone; and what reports he has received on those issues from UK election observers.

Violence has no place in a democracy and the UK condemns the use of violence by any party to elections. The outcome of the June 2023 elections in Sierra Leone was for the Sierra Leonean people to decide. The UK commends the dedication Sierra Leoneans displayed in exercising their right to vote. Our High Commission and the Foreign Secretary have consistently called for transparency and clarity from the Government of Sierra Leone, election management bodies and opposition parties. The UK has also funded a voter education programme to increase communities' engagement with, and understanding of, the electoral process. The High Commission deployed observers across the country during polling and tallying of results and, along with other partners, we note logistical problems hampered voting on election day in certain areas. We share the concerns of observation missions about the lack of transparency in the tabulation process. We remain committed to supporting democracy and the aspirations of the Sierra Leonean people. We are urging everyone to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes.