1. IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred on it by Sections 33, 42(2)(e) and 38A (as amended) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991) and pursuant to Sections 7 and 68 (1) of the Public Elections Act, 2022 (Act No.17 of 2022), the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) conducted a Presidential election on 24th June, 2023.
2. Both the polls and tallying processes were observed by political parties' agents, various National and International Observation Missions/Groups, Embassies and the Media.
3. The Results:
• 11,712 polling station results were entered into the result database, representing 98.98% of all polling stations across the country.
• The national turnout is 2,800,691 representing 83 % of all registered voters.
• The total number of valid votes cast is 2,789,808
• The total number of invalid votes cast is 10,883 representing 0.39 % of the votes cast
• A total number 120 polling stations were not entered into the Result Database due to either being tampered with and therefore quarantined at Regional Tally Centres; or unavailability of Result Forms caused by violence at identified polling stations.
• The above outstanding results cannot materially affect the outcome of the final Presidential election results.
• Details of the results at polling stations will be posted on the ECSL website at https://ec.gov.sli
• A full breakdown of the results by districts is attached to this statement.
5. Therefore, by the powers vested in me as the National Returning Officer by Section 67, 51(2) and 92(4) of the Public Elections Act 2022 (Act No.17 of 2022) and pursuant to section 42(2)(e) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991), I hereby certify that BIO, JULIUS MAADA, having polled 1,566,932 of valid votes cast representing 56.17 % of total valid votes cast in the 24th June, 2023 Presidential election duly elected President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
6. Any citizen who has lawfully voted in this election may challenge the validity of the said election of the President by petition to the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone within seven days after the declaration of Presidential result pursuant to Section 54(1) of the Public Elections Act, 2022 (Act No.17 of 2022).
