The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has commenced engagements with a delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) as part of a five-day post-election follow-up and needs assessment mission in Freetown.
The mission, which runs from September 21 to 25, 2026, provides an opportunity for ECSL, ECOWAS and ECONEC to review Sierra Leone’s 2023 General Elections, assess progress made in strengthening electoral administration and identify institutional and technical priorities ahead of the 2028 Multi-tier Elections.
ECONEC brings together Election Management Bodies within the Economic Community of West African States and serves as a platform for regional cooperation, peer learning, professional development and the exchange of experiences and good practices in electoral administration.
Welcoming the ECOWAS and ECONEC delegation on Monday, September 21, 2026, the Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of ECSL, Edmond Sylvester Alpha, said the engagement comes at an important stage in Sierra Leone’s electoral development.
Edmond Sylvester Alpha said the mission provides the Commission with an opportunity to reflect on its recent electoral experience, take stock of measures undertaken to strengthen electoral administration and examine the priorities and challenges that must be addressed ahead of the next electoral cycle.
He stated that ECSL attaches great importance to its relationship with ECOWAS and ECONEC, noting that regional cooperation, peer learning and the sharing of good practices among Election Management Bodies are essential to strengthening democratic governance and professional electoral administration across West Africa.
Reflecting on the 2023 General Elections, Edmond Sylvester Alpha described the polls as an important milestone in Sierra Leone’s democratic journey, marking the country’s fifth consecutive nationwide elections since the end of the civil war in 2002.
He recalled that the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission recognizes that the electoral process, in many respects, provides citizens with opportunities to exercise their democratic rights. However, the mission also identified challenges, particularly the highly polarized political environment and mistrust among several critical stakeholders.
According to Edmond Sylvester Alpha, the observations and recommendations of the ECOWAS mission remain important reference points for institutional learning and continuous improvement within ECSL.
He highlighted recommendations relating to stakeholder engagement, transparency in results management, the identification and training of polling personnel and improvements to the voting environment.
The Chief Electoral Commissioner stressed that public confidence in elections is not built only on Election Day, but progressively throughout the electoral cycle through transparent procedures, effective communication, stakeholder engagement, professional administration, credible information and accountability.
Edmond Sylvester Alpha also highlighted the Commission’s efforts to implement recommendations arising from the July 2024 Cross-Party Committee Agreement, particularly those intended to rebuild stakeholder trust, strengthen engagement and promote informed participation in the electoral process.
He said ECSL has continued to strengthen stakeholder engagement and electoral education to ensure that political parties, candidates, Civil Society Organisations, the media, traditional and religious leaders, security institutions and citizens are adequately informed about electoral laws, procedures and institutional responsibilities.
On institutional capacity, Edmond Sylvester Alpha said the Commission continues to invest in the professional development of its staff. He cited ECSL’s participation in an ECONEC-sponsored BRIDGE Train-the-Facilitator session held in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2024.
The Commission also benefited from a European Union-sponsored BRIDGE Modular Session on “Introduction to Electoral Administration,” implemented by International IDEA between March and April 2025. More than 45 ECSL staff members recruited since 2016 acquired structured technical knowledge of electoral administration through the programme.
Edmond Sylvester Alpha further disclosed that the Public Sector Reform Unit is conducting a functional review of ECSL’s management systems and processes. The review covers the Commission’s organizational structure, management systems, functional arrangements, institutional roles and responsibilities.
He expressed hope that the outcome of the review would help improve ECSL’s effectiveness and strengthen its capacity to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
Turning to the 2028 Multi-tier Elections, Edmond Sylvester Alpha said the Commission recognizes the complexity involved in conducting multi-tier elections and the importance of beginning preparations early and implementing them in a carefully coordinated manner.
He explained that preparations would cover electoral boundary delimitation, voter registration and centre verification, candidate nominations, voter and civic education, campaign-period activities, recruitment and training of temporary personnel, polling and counting, results management, logistics, technology, electoral security, stakeholder engagement and post-election evaluation.
The Chief Electoral Commissioner also drew attention to the ongoing constitutional review process, saying ECSL is awaiting the completion of the parliamentary stage and the determination of any constitutional and electoral reforms that may emerge.
He noted that, depending on the outcome, the reforms could have implications for the Commission’s mandate, institutional arrangements, procedures and operations.
Edmond Sylvester Alpha further stated that modern electoral administration increasingly requires electoral institutions to understand and respond effectively to emerging technologies, digital information environments and new forms of operational risk.
He described ECOWAS and ECONEC as important platforms through which Election Management Bodies can learn from electoral experiences, innovations and challenges across the region.
Looking towards 2028, Edmond Sylvester Alpha said ECSL remains committed to learning from experience, strengthening its institutional systems and preparing systematically for the future.
He said the road to 2028 should not be regarded merely as preparation for another election, but as an opportunity to further strengthen professional electoral administration, stakeholder confidence, informed participation, institutional resilience, technological readiness and democratic governance.
Edmond Sylvester Alpha expressed appreciation to ECOWAS, ECONEC, the European Union, International IDEA and other regional and international partners for their continued technical cooperation and institutional support.
He concluded by expressing hope that the mission would produce frank, constructive and forward-looking discussions and further strengthen cooperation among ECSL, ECOWAS and ECONEC in support of credible, peaceful, inclusive and professionally administered elections in Sierra Leone and across West Africa.
