ECSL Seeks Stakeholder Input on 2025–2029 Strategic Plan in Makeni
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone consulted stakeholders in Makeni on its proposed 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and four institutional policies.
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has taken its proposed 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and four institutional policies to stakeholders in the Northern Region for review and feedback.
Table Of Content
The consultation was held on Thursday, 1 October 2026, at the Bombali District Council Hall in Makeni. It brought together 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, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the ECSL, urged participants to examine the proposals critically rather than offer unqualified approval.
“We are not here to ask for your applause. We are here to ask for your scrutiny. Test us. Challenge us,” Alpha told the stakeholders.
Four policies under review
The institutional policies presented during the engagement covered stakeholder engagement, regulation making, information management, and the recruitment and management of ad-hoc staff.
According to the ECSL, the Stakeholder Engagement Policy is intended to support structured and continuous dialogue with actors across the electoral process. The Regulation Making Policy is designed 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.
Plan built around four pillars
The proposed Strategic Plan is organised around four areas: institutional and staff development; electoral education, communication and participation; electoral operations; and ICT and data management systems.
The ECSL 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.
The Commission says the proposal was developed using institutional assessments, lessons from previous elections and recommendations from local and international election observation missions. Its previous Strategic Plan covered the period from 2020 to 2024.
Alpha also said the Commission was seeking a practical relationship with stakeholders based on evidence and implementation.
“We are not asking for blind trust. We are asking for a working relationship; one built on evidence, follow-through and respect,” he said.
Feedback to inform final plan
The ECSL committed to documenting contributions from the Makeni consultation and considering them as it finalises the Strategic Plan. The final document is expected to guide the Commission’s work through 2029, although its content and formal approval date have not yet been confirmed.
The Makeni meeting formed part of a series of regional consultations. Similar engagements took place in Kenema on 28 September 2026 and Bo on 29 September 2026. Port Loko hosted the North-West regional consultation on 2 October 2026.
The consultations are intended to strengthen transparency, participation and public confidence in electoral administration as the ECSL prepares the plan for a national launch.
No Comment! Be the first one.