ECSL Boss Breaks Silence
The Chief Electoral Commissioner of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh has underscored that, the Electoral Management Bodies generally is facing significant challenges in the digital age.
He further stated that, information travels rapidly and often without verification. For nearly two decades, he added that, West Africa has seen substantial strides in democratic governance but has also struggled with misinformation, especially online. Konneh emphasized the importance of EMBs in responding to these developments by safeguarding the electoral process, and ensuring citizens have access to reliable information, which is essential for informed participation in governance.
Konneh highlighted that proactive monitoring, collaboration with technology platforms, and targeted communication are essential strategies to prevent disinformation from compromising election credibility. These steps are crucial for ensuring transparent, fair, and credible elections within established legal frameworks and standards.
The Chief Electoral Commissioner of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh during the event held in Freetown with members of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown.
Themed of the event is “Information Integrity and Electoral Integrity: What Role for EMBs in the Era of Social Media,” the event marked the inauguration of the 2024 ECONEC regional symposium and general assembly.
The 10th ECONEC symposium and general assembly is underway in Freetown, focusing on the role of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in promoting information integrity amid the challenges posed by social media.
Both ECOWAS Resident Representative Ambassador Harouna Moussa and Cyrus Sheriff, representing the Chief Minister, called for increased regional cooperation and underscored the need to protect the digital media landscape to preserve electoral integrity in West Africa.
