ECSL Boss Alpha Urges Northern Stakeholders to Test Commission’s 2025–2029 Plan
Sahid Bangura Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Edmond Sylvester Alpha, has called on citizens and stakeholders in the Northern Province to critically scrutinise the Commission’s work as it validates its Strategic Plan for 2025-2029 and key institutional policies.
Alpha made the call on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Bombali District Council Hall in Makeni during a Regional Stakeholder Validation Workshop attended by representatives of political parties, security institutions, civil society organisations, women and youth groups, traditional leaders, religious communities and development partners.
Addressing participants, the ECSL Chairman said he had come to Makeni “not with declarations, but with an open hand,” acknowledging that public trust in the Commission in the North had not been easily established.
He said the concerns surrounding the Commission’s credibility were legitimate and should not be dismissed, stressing that the Northern Province is a critical part of Sierra Leone’s democratic process.
According to Alpha, a credible electoral system cannot be built in Freetown alone but must reflect the experiences and voices of citizens in Bombali, Tonkolili, Koinadugu and Falaba.
He explained that the draft Strategic Plan 2025–2029 was developed from internal assessments, lessons from previous elections and recommendations from local and international observers. The plan focuses on institutional and staff development, electoral education and participation, electoral operations, and information and communication technology and data management systems.
The proposed framework seeks to strengthen the Commission’s professional and inclusive workforce, expand year-round civic and voter education, improve electoral operations and modernise digital systems while protecting voter data and strengthening cybersecurity.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to validate four institutional policies covering stakeholder consultation, regulation, information management, and the recruitment and management of ad-hoc electoral staff.
Alpha said the validation process was intended to promote collective ownership of the strategic plan and ensure that it responds to the concerns and expectations of the wider democratic community.
“We are not here to ask for your applause. We are here to ask for your scrutiny,” he told participants, urging them to assess whether the proposed objectives are realistic, the indicators measurable and the plan capable of addressing operational and public-trust challenges.
The ECSL Chairman made three commitments, including ensuring that the final strategic plan reflects regional realities, that the validated policies are implemented in practice and that submissions made during the consultations are documented, considered and reported back to stakeholders.
He also encouraged ordinary citizens, including traders, transport workers, teachers, students, religious leaders, chiefs and youth representatives, to freely express their concerns and challenge the Commission where necessary.
“Test us. Challenge us,” Alpha said, adding that the Commission was not seeking “blind trust” but a working relationship based on evidence, follow-through and mutual respect.
He subsequently declared the validation workshop open and called for candid and constructive deliberations as the ECSL continues the process of finalising its Strategic Plan and institutional policies.