By Ibrahim Sesay
The Chairman and Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, Edmond Sylvester Alpha, has reaffirmed that the power to determine the outcome of presidential elections rests solely with the electorate, not the Commission, as the institution unveils a comprehensive five-year strategic plan ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Speaking during his inaugural Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) meeting held at the Commission’s headquarters in Tower Hill on April 29, Alpha emphasized that the role of the Commission is strictly to organize, supervise, and ensure the credibility of elections, while the final decision remains with the people.
“The Chairman of ECSL does not determine the winner of presidential elections, nor does the Commission manufacture electoral outcomes. It is the people of Sierra Leone, through their votes, who decide who governs them,” Alpha stated.
His remarks come amid growing public discourse surrounding electoral transparency and institutional independence, as the country gradually shifts focus toward preparations for the next electoral cycle.
At the same engagement, the Commission announced a new five-year strategic plan designed to guide electoral activities leading up to 2028 and beyond. According to Alpha, the plan will undergo an extensive validation process involving all registered political parties at both regional and national levels to ensure inclusivity and stakeholder ownership.
“Your input will be seriously and highly encouraged,” he assured, noting that the document will only be finalized after broad consultations.
The PPLC meeting also reviewed key operational priorities, including a nationwide assessment of voter registration centres to evaluate their accessibility and adequacy, as well as ongoing institutional restructuring recommended by international partners, including the International Moral Guarantors.
Alpha used the opportunity to dismiss widespread claims circulating on social media regarding alleged mass recruitment by the Commission. He categorically denied reports suggesting that the ECSL had opened a recruitment portal or planned to hire 256 staff.
“At no given time have we come up with any portal to state that we have vacancies. It is not true. When the time comes, we will keep the public fully informed,” he clarified, urging citizens and the media to disregard what he described as false information.
Instead, the ECSL Chairman outlined a reform agenda focused on strengthening institutional capacity and improving electoral systems. He disclosed that the restructuring process is already underway in collaboration with key government institutions, including the Human Resource Management Office and the Public Sector Reform Unit, and will be conducted in a transparent and merit-based manner.
The Commission is also working with the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to advance legal reforms aimed at enhancing the electoral framework. In addition, efforts are ongoing to procure modern voter registration equipment and software to improve efficiency and credibility in future elections.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s democratic progress, Alpha noted that since the 2005 institutional reforms, the country has successfully conducted four electoral cycles—in 2007, 2012, 2018, and 2023—thereby sustaining constitutional governance and democratic continuity.
He, however, cautioned that these gains must be protected through collective responsibility, particularly as preparations intensify for the 2028 elections.
“Electoral preparedness requires early planning, timely reforms, adequate financing, institutional cooperation, and sustained stakeholder engagement. ECSL cannot achieve these objectives alone,” he said, calling on political parties, civil society, the media, and the security sector to play their respective roles responsibly.
Also addressing the meeting, Eastern Region Commissioner and PPLC Chairman, Alex Saffa, reassured stakeholders of the Commission’s commitment to delivering credible elections.
“We want to assure you that from 2028, elections will be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner,” Saffa said.
However, he raised concerns about inconsistent representation at PPLC meetings, urging political parties and institutions to delegate decision-makers who can uphold agreements reached during discussions.
“Most times we come here, we have discussions, we make agreements, but after the boardroom, something else comes up,” he noted, warning that such inconsistencies could fuel misunderstanding and misinformation.
The PPLC continues to serve as a critical platform for dialogue, consultation, and information sharing between the Commission and political parties, especially at a time when preparations for the 2028 general elections are gathering momentum.
Several political parties attended the meeting, including the Sierra Leone People’s Party, while the All People’s Congress was notably absent.
As Sierra Leone moves closer to another electoral cycle, the ECSL’s renewed emphasis on transparency, inclusivity, and institutional reform signals a broader effort to strengthen public confidence in the country’s democratic processes.
