By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Lawyers’ Society has expressed strong reservations over the proposed appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), citing ongoing constitutional review discussions and pending electoral reform recommendations.
In a Press Release issued following the circulation of a letter dated 10 February 2026, reportedly from the Office of the President, the Society noted that the correspondence sought the views of all registered political parties regarding the President’s intention to appoint Edmond Sylvester Alpha, who currently serves as an ECSL Commissioner, as Chief Electoral Commissioner.
The consultation process is in line with Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone (as amended), which requires the President to consult all registered political parties prior to appointing a Chief Electoral Commissioner.
However, the Lawyers’ Society cautioned that proceeding with the appointment at this stage could undermine ongoing constitutional reform efforts and the implementation of key provisions contained in the Agreement for National Unity, commonly referred to as the Tripartite Agreement.
According to the Society, both the Constitutional Review Committee Report and the Tripartite Report recommend amendments to the existing appointment procedure under Section 32(3). Specifically, the report calls for the establishment of a Search and Nomination Committee tasked with providing nominees to the President for appointment to the ECSL and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC).
The Society argued that appointing a new Chief Electoral Commissioner before implementing those recommendations may compromise the credibility of the reform process.
“Proceeding with the appointment prior to implementing Recommendation 36 of the Tripartite Recommendations and Recommendation 8.10 of the Constitutional Review Committee may create the perception of insufficient commitment to genuine electoral reforms and governance,” the statement noted.
The Society further referenced Recommendation 6, which calls for an external functional review of the ECSL, suggesting that the appointment of a new Chief Electoral Commissioner before such reforms are enacted could risk repeating past challenges related to transparency and accountability, particularly those raised in the aftermath of the 2023 elections.
It emphasized that reform measures aimed at strengthening electoral governance should be fully implemented before key leadership appointments are made.
In light of those concerns, the Lawyers’ Society urged the Government of Sierra Leone to reconsider the timing of the proposed appointment, conclude the constitutional review process and fully implement the recommendations contained in the Tripartite Agreement especially those relating to the appointment procedures for members of the ECSL and PPRC.
The proposed appointment has sparked debate among legal and political stakeholders, with observers noting that electoral reforms remain central to national dialogue on governance and institutional integrity.
Government authorities have yet to issue an official response to the concerns raised by the Society.
