ECSL Seeks Public Scrutiny of Proposed 2025–2029 Electoral Plan

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has consulted stakeholders in the Northern Region on its proposed 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and four institutional policies, urging participants to examine the proposals critically.

The engagement was held on 1 October 2026 at the Bombali District Council Hall in Makeni as part of nationwide consultations intended to strengthen transparency, participation and public confidence in electoral administration.

Participants included representatives of political parties, traditional authorities, local councils, civil society organisations, security agencies, women and youth groups, transport unions, religious leaders and development partners.

Edmond Sylvester Alpha, ECSL’s Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman, told stakeholders that the consultation was intended to secure substantive feedback rather than simple endorsement.

“We are not here to ask for your applause. We are here to ask for your scrutiny. Test us. Challenge us,” Alpha said.

He added that the Commission was seeking cooperation based on evidence and accountability. “We are not asking for blind trust. We are asking for a working relationship; one built on evidence, follow-through and respect,” he said.

Four strategic priorities

According to ECSL, the proposed plan is organised around four pillars: Institutional and Staff Development; Electoral Education, Communication and Participation; Electoral Operations; and ICT and Data Management Systems.

The Commission says the plan is intended to support professional and merit-based staffing, expand civic and voter education throughout the year, improve preparedness across the electoral cycle, address electoral misinformation and modernise digital infrastructure and data-management systems.

ECSL said the draft was developed using institutional assessments, lessons from previous elections and recommendations from local and international election observation missions.

The Commission’s 2024 Annual Report also confirmed that it had reviewed implementation of its previous 2020–2024 Strategic Plan and begun preparations for the next planning period.

Policies under review

Stakeholders in Makeni also examined four proposed institutional policies covering Stakeholder Engagement, Regulation Making, Information Management and Ad-Hoc Staff Recruitment and Management.

ECSL said the Stakeholder Engagement Policy would provide a structured basis for continued dialogue with actors involved in the electoral process. The Regulation Making Policy is intended to promote clarity, fairness and predictability in the development of electoral rules.

The Information Management Policy focuses on access to electoral information within the limits of the law, while the Ad-Hoc Staff Recruitment and Management Policy addresses transparent and merit-based recruitment and management of temporary election personnel.

The Commission lists accountability, credibility, independence, integrity, impartiality, professionalism and transparency among its guiding principles.

Regional consultation programme

The Makeni meeting followed consultations in Kenema on 28 September and Bo on 29 September. Port Loko hosted the North-West regional engagement on 2 October.

ECSL has committed to documenting feedback from the regional meetings and considering stakeholder contributions as it finalises the Strategic Plan. The Commission intends to complete the plan ahead of its national launch, although no launch date has been stated.

Feedback from the consultations is expected to inform the final document, which is intended to guide the Commission’s work through 2029. The specific contributions that will be incorporated have not been identified.