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The Bombali District Human Rights Committee (BDHRC) has condemned the alleged violent removal of National Election Watch (NEW) observers during the paramount chieftaincy elections in Bombali Sebora Chiefdom, Bombali District, on 11 April 2026.
According to BDHRC, the removal was reportedly directed by the Regional Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) North-East Region, Max Kanu. However, the NEW District Coordinator for Bombali District, Emilia Jengo-Kamara, who was present at the scene, reportedly protested the decision, stating that she had received verbal approval from the Senior District Officer (SDO) for NEW to observe the elections.
BDHRC expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of excluding NEW from election observation activities.
“We are deeply troubled by what appears to be a pattern of preventing and excluding NEW from election observations by ECSL,” the committee stated.
The committee also referenced concerns that NEW may be barred from observing future elections until internal issues with ECSL management are resolved.
BDHRC described National Election Watch as a key institution in promoting democratic accountability, noting its long-standing role in election observation in Sierra Leone.
It warned that the exclusion of NEW from electoral processes could pose reputational risks for ECSL and urged the commission to reconsider its approach.
The committee further called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, emphasizing the importance of independent election observers in strengthening democratic governance.
BDHRC extended sympathy to NEW following the incident and called for calm while investigations are conducted.
