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About

The National Election Watch (NEW) is a broad-based coalition comprising 450 national and international civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It was established in 2002 with the primary objective of promoting democratic governance in Sierra Leone through the impartial observation of elections. Since its inception, NEW has played a pivotal role in ensuring the transparency, credibility, and inclusivity of electoral processes across the country.

Originally focused on observing the electioneering process, NEW’s mandate has expanded over time to include monitoring the entire electoral cycle, encompassing pre-election preparations, voter registration, campaign activities, election day operations, vote tallying, and post-election dispute resolution. This comprehensive approach has been in place since 2007, reflecting NEW’s commitment to a holistic understanding of electoral integrity rather than a narrow focus on polling days alone.

Operating in a spirit of volunteerism and strict political neutrality, NEW mobilizes a decentralized network of district-level observer teams, which are centrally coordinated through its secretariat based in the capital, Freetown. This structure allows for real-time information sharing and ensures that localized electoral issues are identified and addressed efficiently. Through its sustained engagement, NEW has significantly contributed to building public trust in electoral outcomes, enhancing citizen participation, and strengthening democratic accountability. Its activities have not only increased the visibility of civil society actors in the democratic process but have also fostered more structured and transparent interactions between communities, political parties, and electoral stakeholders.