• • • • • • Act, 2004, the NEC Act 2002; the Electoral Laws Act, 2002, among others. To address short comings and gaps in the country’s election laws (e.g. no specific laws on referendum, boundary delimitation, local government elections, invalidation of election results). To eliminate ambiguities and inconsistencies in the country’s election legislation, identified through practical electoral experiences and election observation reports (e.g. the use of the words “or” and “and” in sections 37(1) and 108(4) of the 1991 Constitution regarding referendum). To bring electoral legal framework in line with international and regional instruments signed and ratified by the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL). NEC has during the reporting period been able to do the following: Enhancing gender and disability policies through the translation of its Disability policy and Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) into Braille for the blind, sign and pictorial versions for the deaf and dumb( NEC 2015 Annual Report) Conducted the following elections : 3 parliamentary bye elections ( Constituencies 025, 030 and 107; Five ( 5) Local Council bye elections (Wards: 002, 034,261 and 329); One Village head bye election in Regent, Western Area Rural District; Eight ( 8) Paramount Chieftaincy elections in Dea, FOR MANY YEARS, OUR GOVERNMENTS HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO PROMOTE PEACE, SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY IN SIERRA LEONE, TRITTER SAID. TODAY, WE CELEBRATE ANOTHER STEP FORWARD, A NEW PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AT A CRITICAL MOMENT IN SIERRA LEONE’S HISTORY. APRM Sierra Leone | Annual Progress Report Yawei, Gaura, Dema, Yawbeko, Timdale, Jaiama Bongor and Valunya) ( NEC 2015 Report). 3.2.9 Sierra Leone and the Millennium Challenge Corporation: In November 17, 2015 the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Republic of Sierra Leone signed a new $44 million partnership agreement at the Sierra Leone State House. The $44.4 million grant – known as an MCC Threshold Program – will support policy reforms, build institutional capacity, and improve governance in the water and electricity sectors, with a focus on Freetown. The program aims to create a foundation for the delivery of financially sustainable water and electricity services while limiting opportunities for corruption by establishing independent regulation, strengthening key institutions and increasing transparency and accountability. “For many years, our governments have worked together to promote peace, security and democracy in Sierra Leone,” Tritter said. “Today, we celebrate another step forward, a new partnership that will lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth at a critical moment in Sierra Leone’s history.” The overall objectives of the project are to improve access to clean water and reliable electricity, and to support reforms designed to limit opportunities for corruption. The partnership comes as the country emerges from the devastating Ebola outbreak and complements the U.S. Government’s recovery efforts. It also represents MCC’s latest contribution to Power Africa, following recent investments in Liberia and Benin. MCC’s Threshold Programs assist countries to become eligible for MCC’s larger grants – known as compacts – by supporting targeted policy and institutional reforms. Sierra Leone’s Threshold Program focuses on three key components: • A Regulatory Strengthening Project that will build capacity at the newly formed Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission; • Water Sector Reform Project that aims to improve overall sector governance, performance, and accountability by building capacity at the Freetown water utility; and • Electricity Sector Reform Project that will help the Government of Sierra Leone operationalizes a 27