The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, convened a stakeholders’ validation meeting to review a draft curriculum for the proposed introduction of Diploma and Degree programmes in Electoral and Political Studies at universities across Sierra Leone.
The meeting, held at the New Brookfields Hotel on Jomo Kenyatta Road in Freetown, brought together representatives from the electoral, political, education and academic sectors to examine the proposed curriculum and make recommendations for its improvement.
Participants included officials from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, the Political Parties Regulation Commission, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Tertiary Education Commission. University Vice-Chancellors, Principals, lecturers, curriculum experts and other stakeholders also attended the engagement.
The initiative was designed to strengthen electoral and political education among University students and deepen their understanding of Sierra Leone’s democratic processes, electoral systems and civic responsibilities.
The proposed curriculum is expected to provide students with academic and practical knowledge of elections, political institutions, democratic governance, civic engagement and the responsibilities of citizens within a democratic society.
The validation meeting gave stakeholders an opportunity to assess the academic quality, relevance and practicality of the draft curriculum. Participants examined its proposed content and shared recommendations intended to ensure that the programme meets acceptable academic standards, aligns with national education priorities and responds to Sierra Leone’s democratic needs.
Opening the engagement, Electoral Commissioner, Zainab Umu Moseray, who oversees the Training and Procedures Department of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, described the meeting as a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen democratic education.
Electoral Commissioner, Zainab Umu Moseray, underscored the importance of developing a comprehensive programme that would equip University students with the knowledge and skills required to understand and participate responsibly in electoral and political processes.
The initiative reflects the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone’s recognition of the important role universities can play in building democratic awareness, encouraging responsible political participation and preparing young people to contribute meaningfully to national governance.
Introducing electoral and political studies into university programmes could also help students better understand the functions of electoral management bodies, political parties and other democratic institutions. It could further enhance knowledge of electoral laws, political participation, governance structures and peaceful democratic engagement.
Stakeholders used the validation exercise to scrutinize the draft curriculum and determine whether its contents were suitable for implementation within Sierra Leone’s higher education system. Their contributions focused on improving the programme’s academic relevance and ensuring a balance between theoretical learning and practical experience.
The proposed Diploma and Degree programmes are expected to contribute to the development of professionals with specialized knowledge in electoral administration, political studies, civic education and democratic governance. Graduates could potentially serve within electoral institutions, political organisations, civil society bodies, academic institutions and other governance-related sectors.
The engagement also highlighted the need to provide young people with credible information about elections and politics, particularly at a time when misinformation, political intolerance and limited civic knowledge can undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
By incorporating electoral and political studies into university education, the initiative seeks to encourage informed participation and provide students with a structured understanding of the principles, institutions and processes that support democratic governance.
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone is expected to carefully consider the observations and recommendations presented by stakeholders before finalizing the curriculum.
Once completed and approved by the relevant authorities, the curriculum could be integrated into university programmes across Sierra Leone, creating a formal academic pathway for students interested in elections, politics and democratic governance.
The validation meeting therefore marked an important step towards establishing Electoral and Political Studies as a recognized area of university education and strengthening the capacity of young Sierra Leoneans to participate responsibly in the country’s democratic development.
