STANDARD TIMES PRESS SIERRA LEONE Sierra Leone: More Accolades For Sierra Leone's Council Polls PAGE

The Mano River Union (MRU) grouping Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia has joined the growing list of organisations and countries hailing the conduct of last Saturday's council polls in Sierra Leone. Speaking to journalists in Freetown, the Sierra Leonean capital Wednesday, MRU Secretary General Abraham Boure said the polls were peaceful, free and fair.

"Although the turn-out was somehow low, I was out and about in many polling stations in Freetown on Saturday July 5, 2008. I must say that what I saw personally gave me a sense of satisfaction about the whole electoral process. I can say that the electoral process was free, fair and peaceful,'' he said.

Mr. Bouré said the Sierra Leonean example was worthy of emulation, adding: "It is good for the consolidation of peace in the Mano River Union countries, which are mainly post-conflict countries.''

The MRU official said he was keen to see that the peace that has been restored was consolidated in the three member states of the organisation, which was established in 1973 to foster sun-regional economic integration, as well as in Cote d'Ivoire.

He said Sierra Leone's example must therefore serve as a lesson for Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire, which plans to hold presidential and legislative elections later this year, the first since the outbreak of the armed conflict that almost tore apart the once peaceful country.

Guinea's legislative election have also been scheduled for November.

ECOWAS, UN and the US have all commended the conduct of the elections

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