The EU will release the findings of its Sierra Leone election observation mission today. – Photo: ManoReporters

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) is set to announce its findings on the Sierra Leonean presidential elections today.

A team of 28 long-term and 40 short-term observers  were sent to all 16 Sierra Leonean districts for the hotly contested elections, troubled by threats of intimidation and rigging of votes. On election day, polling stations reportedly opened later than scheduled and a Sierra Leone People’s Party member claimed that some voters were being refused a chance to vote.

Despite a mostly peaceful pre-election period, both of Sierra Leone’s main parties, the SLPP and the APC have recently claimed that their supporters have been attacked. Days before elections took place, protestors clashed with the police in Freetown, leading to the death of an APC supporter.

While incumbent president Julius Maada Bio is expected to win the vote, It is uncertain whether the EU EUOM will find evidence of rigging in the election. Although previous elections were not marred by significant instances of violence, the likelihood of violence following the announcement of electoral results remains high, driven by claims of fraud and issues in the West African country with hate speech on social media.