VOTER REGISTRATION ACCREDITATION GUIDELINES FOR DISTRICT STAFF

• VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE: 3^RD SEPTEMBER – 4^TH OCTOBER 2022
• PHASE 1:  3^RD – 17^TH SEPTEMBER 2022  
• PHASE 2:  20^TH SEPTEMBER – 4^TH OCTOBER 2022
• REGISTRATION CENTRES WILL OPEN FROM 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM DAILY 

            CATEGORIES OF OBSERVERS

SN	Institution	Category	Remark
1	Political Parties	National	All political parties’ Agents and Supervisors
2	Observers	National	NEW
2	Observers	National	CSO and other interest groups
2	Observers	National	Democratic Institutions
2	Observers	International	Development Partners
2	Observers	International	Embassies and High Commissions
3	Media	National/International	Print and Electronic
			Print and Electronic

OBJECTIVE OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE

1. The objective is to ensure that Political Parties, Observers, and Media institutions who wish to witness the conduct of the Voter Registration exercise in Sierra Leone are given the opportunity.
2. Interested Political Parties, Observers, and the Media can apply for accreditation through the online portal on accreditation.nec.gov.sl with the aid of internet connectivity.  Institutions can also apply manually.

THE RATIONALE FOR THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS

1. Through the accreditation process, Political Parties, Observers, and Media institutions are authorized to observe electoral processes, take note of happenings during the Voter Registration activities and report to their institutions.
2. Electoral observation has become an integral part of the democratic and electoral processes to enhance all electoral activities are transparent, credible, and accountable.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OBSERVER INSTITUTIONS 

1. Institutions are required to Submit a list of applications.                 Institutions and not individuals are accredited.
2.  Persons who are accredited to observe Voter Registration activities are required to read and understand the General Guidelines and Code of Conduct for Observers.  
3. Institutions must ensure that all their observers are of sound mind and have agreed to abide by the Rules and Regulations governing the Voter Registration process.
4. Institutions are required to ensure accurate and correct details for observers are submitted and bear the responsibility for any misconduct of the observer(s)
5. Institutions are required to give feedback on findings in the form of reports or hold engagement discussions with the Electoral Commission on the same.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ACCREDITED OBSERVERS

1. Observers shall not be involved in the administration of any aspect of the Voter Registration exercise, either by giving directives to or interfering with Voter Registration officials in the performance of their duties
2. All observers shall comply with lawful directives issued by or under the authority of the Electoral Commission, including an order to leave a voter registration centre or any premises where an electoral activity is conducted by the Electoral Commission, or given by the Voter Registration officials as the case may be.
3. Observers should not attempt or procure favours or induce Voter Registration officials in the performance of their duties.
4. If observers need any clarifications, they should do so in a polite manner with the Voter Registration officials.

GUIDELINES FOR ECSL DISTRICT STAFF

By objective 2 of the Voter Registration exercise, Interested Political Parties, Observers, and the Media can apply for accreditation through the online portal on accreditation.nec.gov.sl with the aid of internet connectivity.

The External Relations Department will issue accreditations cards to online applicants. However, Institutions that want to apply manually will be allowed to do so. District staff are therefore directed to ensure that the following are carried out:

1. Accredit Political Parties, Observers, and the Media at the district level
2. District Executives of Political Parties MUST submit a list with names and details (address, voter ID, Telephone and 1 size passport photo of each agent), endorsed by the National Executive to the ECSL District Office.
3. All accreditation cards MUST be properly filled out before they are issued and signed for
4. Two Political Parties agents are accredited per registration centre
5. Political Parties List of agents MUST be centre specific
6. Interested and qualified institutions, media houses or CSO groups MUST submit a written application, attached with a list of observers and their details (address, voter ID, Telephone and 1 size passport photo of each observer)   
7. ECSL district staff MUST generate a list of district accreditation, including the name and address of the organization, and the number of accreditations per organisation including sex-disaggregated figures.