ECSL Reviews 2023 Polls with ECONEC Ahead of 2028 Elections
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone has begun a five-day engagement with ECONEC to review the 2023 General Elections and identify priorities for the 2028 Multi-tier Elections.
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone has begun discussions with a delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions as part of a five-day post-election follow-up and needs assessment mission in Freetown.
Table Of Content
The engagement, running from September 21 to 25, 2026, is focused on reviewing the country’s 2023 General Elections, assessing progress in electoral administration and identifying institutional and technical priorities ahead of the 2028 Multi-tier Elections.
Edmond Sylvester Alpha, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of ECSL, welcomed the ECOWAS and ECONEC delegation at the start of the mission on September 21.
Lessons from the 2023 elections
Alpha described the 2023 elections as an important national milestone and Sierra Leone’s fifth consecutive nationwide election since the end of the civil war in 2002.
In recalling observations from the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, he identified a highly polarised political environment and mistrust among several critical stakeholders as challenges surrounding the polls. He also pointed to recommendations concerning stakeholder engagement, transparency in results management, the identification and training of polling personnel, and improvements to the voting environment.
Alpha said public confidence in elections is developed across the full electoral cycle through transparent procedures, effective communication, stakeholder participation, professional administration, credible information and accountability.
According to the ECSL account, the commission has continued its engagement and electoral education work with political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, the media, traditional and religious leaders, security institutions and citizens. It is also working on recommendations associated with the July 2024 Cross-Party Committee Agreement.
Planning for 2028
The commission’s preparations for the 2028 Multi-tier Elections are expected to include boundary delimitation, voter registration and centre verification, candidate nominations, voter and civic education, campaign activities, staff recruitment and training, polling and counting, results management, logistics, technology, electoral security, stakeholder engagement and post-election evaluation.
Alpha said the complexity of multi-tier elections makes early and coordinated preparation important. The commission has also expressed a commitment to learning from previous experience, improving its institutional systems and preparing systematically for the next elections.
The Public Sector Reform Unit is conducting a functional review of ECSL’s management systems and processes. The review covers the commission’s organisational structure, management systems, functional arrangements, institutional roles and responsibilities. ECSL has expressed hope that the exercise will strengthen its effectiveness and capacity.
The ongoing constitutional review process is another consideration for the commission. ECSL is awaiting completion of the parliamentary stage and the determination of any resulting constitutional or electoral reforms. Alpha said the outcome could affect the commission’s mandate, institutional arrangements, procedures and operations.
Regional cooperation and staff development
ECONEC brings together election management bodies from across ECOWAS and provides a platform for regional cooperation, peer learning, professional development and the exchange of electoral administration practices.
Alpha cited ECSL’s participation in an ECONEC-sponsored BRIDGE Train-the-Facilitator session in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2024. He also noted that the commission 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 recruited since 2016 acquired structured technical knowledge through the 2025 programme, according to Alpha. The commission is continuing its professional development efforts as it works toward the 2028 polls.
The final recommendations and outcome of the September mission have not been provided. Alpha has expressed hope that the engagement will support frank, constructive and forward-looking discussions and strengthen cooperation between ECSL, ECOWAS and ECONEC.
No Comment! Be the first one.