NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (NEC)

BRIEF HISTORY AND PROFILE

Sierra Leone has always had a commission responsible for the management of elections since Independence in 1961. Even during periods of military rule, when the members of the Commission were removed, the technical and support staff remained in place, thus making it possible to build a reservoir of considerable experience in election administration with the institution.

NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Chief Electoral Commissioner/Chair Person

Dr. Christiana Thorpe

NEC Building,

15 Wellington Industrial Estate,

Freetown

Telephone: +232 76 547 299

In 1994 the military government, the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC), established the Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC), which subsequently conducted the 1996 presidential and parliamentary elections for a return to constitutional rule. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) replaced the INEC in March 2000. Like its predecessors, the NEC is made up of a Chief Electoral Commissioner, who serves as the Chairman, and four other members.

The President appoints all the members of the Commission, in consultation with leaders of all registered political parties and subject to the approval of parliament. The tenure of office of the Commissioners is five years, and their terms and conditions of service are prescribed by Parliament. The President may remove a member of the Commission from Office only on grounds of inability to discharge his or her functions or misbehaviour.

The functions vested in the NEC by the 1991 Constitution include:

  • The conduct of all public elections and referenda;

  • The registration of voters;

  • The demarcation of constituencies with the approval of Parliament; and,

  • Making regulations for the efficient performance of its functions

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    The Constitution guarantees the independence of the Commission in the performance of its function by stating that it ‘shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.’

    Previously Civil Servants, recruited through the Public Service Commission (PSC) staffed the NEC. Under the NEC Act (2002), inherited staffs were returned to the Establishment Secretary’s office following a successful restructuring process commencing August 2005 – May 2006.

    The Commission successfully completed the recruitment process of its staff through competitive examinations and interviews.

    MISSION STATEMENT

    The National Electoral Commission (NEC) is a public institution, whose mission is to organize, conduct and supervise all public elections and referenda, register all eligible voters, demarcate constituency boundaries and make regulations for the efficient performance of its functions. The

    NEC also seeks to impartially serve all stake holders in the electoral process, and to undertake civic and voter education programmes for the citizens of Sierra Leone as a means of promoting and sustaining democracy and good Governance.

    VISION STATEMENT

    Our vision of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) in the future 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.

    GUIDING PRINCIPLES

    In the attempt to attain our mission and vision, the principles that guide NEC are:-

  • Independence

  • Transparency

  • Credibility

  • Impartiality

  • Professionalism and Dedication

  • Integrity and Accountability

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    © DACO/SLIS July 2007