APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will lead a team of distinguished experts in observing the general elections in Sierra Leone on June 24, 2023.
A statement by the Commonwealth Secretariat said that the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, confirmed on Thursday that Vice President Osinbajo has accepted her request to chair the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG).
It added that the Secretary-General constituted the observer group upon invitation from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone.
Prof Osinbajo is a Professor of Law and one of the nation’s leading legal experts, serving as Vice President of Nigeria since May 2015. He will be joined by recognised dignitaries from various fields including, politicians, legal, media, gender and election administration professionals from across the Commonwealth to carry out the task.
Speaking on the appointment, the Secretary-General said: “I am grateful to His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for accepting my invitation, to undertake this important area of our work in deepening democracy across our Commonwealth – despite his busy schedule and overseeing a seamless transition of his government. As a senior statesman from the region, HE Osinbajo understands in depth the challenges across West Africa and I am confident he will lead a brilliant team.”
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to chair the Commonwealth Observer Group. He said: “I’m highly honoured by the unique opportunity to continue to bring my expertise and experience in contributing to deepening democracy especially in Africa, and the Commonwealth by extension.”
According to the statement, the mandate of the Commonwealth Observer Group includes “to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the election has been conducted in a credible manner”.
“The Group will then report on the conduct of the elections in accordance with the standards to which Sierra Leone has committed itself, including its own laws.
“In line with Commonwealth methodology, the Group will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for credible and inclusive elections, including a fair election environment; whether public media has been impartial; the transparency of the entire process; and whether voters are free to express their will.
“Upon completion of its assignment, the Group will submit its recommendations in a report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will subsequently share it with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Electoral Commission, political parties and all Commonwealth governments,” the statement added.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states, with a combined population of 2.5 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under.
The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-three of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights. It also helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
GIK/APA