The main opposition  APC flag bearer Ernest Koroma continues to enjoy a comfortable lead  in the race for the Sierra Leone presidency with 204, 770 votes out of the 364, 655 tallied so far (as of yesterday evening), according to statistics released by the National Electoral Commission.

Solomon  Berewa of the ruling SLPP is trailing with 106, 887 votes , while Charles Margai of the PMDC has 41,558. The others Turay of CPP gets 4,990 while Amadu Jalloh of NDA gets 3,566.

The districts that have released partial results so far include Bombali, Tonkolili, Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, Bo, Pujehun, the Western Area (urban), Western Area (Rural). Of the votes so far counted in the Bo district, there is almost a tie between Margai and Berewa, So far Ernest Koroma seems to be doing fine in the Western Area and the North while Berewa has made more gains in the Kailahun and Kenema.

Meanwhile NEC boss Dr Christina Thorpe has in a press release appealed to Sierra Leoneans to display the same patience, calm and dignity they demonstrated during the voting period while the counting of the votes continues. People have expressed disappointment over the delay in the counting process which may take days to conclude. ‘While the tallying of results is being executed as efficiently as possible, due to the physical constraints in Sierra Leone the process will take time. During the initial phase it was observed that information was slow to present itself. This was due to the naturally slow process of the movement of materials. The pace is now picking up with more and more information being made available on a daily basis'.

People however seem to be encouraged by the transparency in the counting so far displayed by NEC which has provided comprehensive information to both the public and political parties in relation to the counting and tallying process.

‘As each polling station result sheet is received it is carefully entered into the results database. A series of checks are carried out to ensure the results are entered exactly as counted and recorded at the polling centre. Before the results of a station are added to the overall result, the actual data that has been entered is checked one more final time. The NEC Tally Center therefore records the results, meticulously reflecting poll as it has been recorded.

‘Where there are any cases of reports of irregularities or complaints from the field or where the tamper evident bag does not appear to be completely beyond suspicion (for example, without a signature, or without all the necessary forms in place), these results sheets are not entered into the database. They are quarantined and NEC investigates as appropriate. If necessary the police are notified and requested to carry out their own investigations. NEC will inform the political parties and observers of the outcomes of these investigations and their decision on how to proceed. To this end, NEC is checking each polling station results nationwide, to ensure that any irregularities are identified and addressed prior to a formal announcement.

‘NEC would like to clarify that there is of necessity a balance to be found between speed and accuracy. One cannot be sacrificed for the other. The Commission would like the results as soon as possible but it also wants accurate and credible results. It is for this reason that the checks and balances mentioned above are in place at the NEC Tally Centre.'

Out-going President Tejan Kabbah has for his part also appealed for calm during the vote counting period urging urging people to desist from making inflammatory remarks against each other. "Until such time that I hand over power to the legitimate successor, I will not stand idly by and allow evil-minded people to take the law into their hands and destroy what the country has achieved since the end of the war," AFP news agency quotes Mr Kabbah as saying.

Some international observers have however expressed concern over the refusal of the government to allow the opposition parties access to state radio and television during and after the voting.