Post a comment 
The All Peoples Congress (APC) has formally expressed concerns regarding the proposed appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner/Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL). The party’s response follows a letter received from the government on 11th February 2026, regarding the nomination.
In a statement signed by Acting APC Chairman, Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh, the party emphasized that key recommendations of the Tripartite Committee—established to address issues from the 2023 elections—must be fulfilled before any appointments are made. These include the creation of a parliamentary standing committee and a search and nominating committee for the appointment of all Electoral Commission members. The APC noted that bypassing these steps risks undermining the purpose and spirit of ongoing electoral reforms.
“The leadership and composition of the Electoral Commission must command broad national confidence,” the statement read. “The appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner should be a confidence-building measure to strengthen the independence, neutrality, and credibility of the Commission ahead of future elections.”
The APC raised several concerns about the proposed nominee:
The party highlighted that Mr. Alpha was a senior member of the ECSL during the 2023 Presidential and General Elections, which were widely criticized locally and internationally for a lack of transparency and significant statistical inconsistencies. The APC stated that these shortcomings disqualify him from consideration for the post.
The party expressed concern over public statements by Mr. Alpha suggesting that the 2028 elections would mirror the 2023 polls. According to the APC, such remarks risk undermining public confidence in the neutrality and independence of the ECSL leadership.
The APC cited instances where Mr. Alpha allegedly displayed hostility toward local and international election observers, including an incident in Port Loko District where a National Elections Watch representative was asked to leave a polling station. The party emphasized that openness to electoral oversight is essential for credible elections.
While reaffirming its commitment to democracy and the rule of law, the APC stated that it is prepared to lawfully resist any attempt to replicate conditions that undermined transparency and public trust in 2023.
The party concluded by urging President Julius Maada Bio to consider appointing a candidate whose record, posture, and public standing can inspire national confidence and ensure that the shortcomings of previous elections are not repeated.
“The proposed appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha is not in the best interest of Sierra Leone,” the APC statement read. “We remain available for constructive engagement to strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions and preserve electoral integrity, peace, and stability.”
The letter from the APC was dated Friday, 13th February 2026, and signed by Amb. Osman Foday Yansaneh in his capacity as Acting Chairman of the party.
