Post a comment 
The National Election Watch (NEW) has successfully concluded district-level elections across all 17 operational districts between 2 and 24 March 2026, marking a significant step in strengthening its grassroots structure.
The exercise, conducted by teams from the NEW Secretariat alongside Regional Coordinators, resulted in the election of District Coordinators, District Secretaries, and full District Teams in every district. As part of the process, Bonthe was administratively divided into two districts to better reflect its riverine geography.
According to NEW, the newly elected district teams will undertake the review and verification of Chiefdom Focal Persons, with the authority to appoint replacements where necessary in a bid to enhance local representation and coordination.
Transparency was a central feature of the elections. The organisation compiled initial district membership lists from registered and approved member organisations, which were publicly displayed and reviewed line by line prior to voting. Concerns raised during the verification process were addressed before elections commenced, ensuring credibility and trust in the process.
Out of 497 organisations listed on the voter register, 442 participated in the elections, representing an 88.9 percent turnout. NEW described this level of participation as a strong indication of member engagement and the organisation’s expanding presence at the grassroots level.
The process also attracted the attention of key institutions. The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) observed the elections nationwide, while the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), and the Office of National Security (ONS) monitored proceedings in selected districts. Additionally, the Independent Radio Network facilitated public awareness by hosting NEW representatives on district-level radio programmes.
The initiative was funded by the European Union through International IDEA, highlighting continued international support for civil society-led democratic initiatives in Sierra Leone.
With the new district leadership now in place, NEW stated that District Teams will immediately begin verifying Chiefdom Focal Persons and filling any identified gaps. These measures are expected to strengthen the organisation’s monitoring capacity and improve coordination ahead of future civic and electoral engagements.
NEW leadership has expressed appreciation to member organisations, observers, and partners for their contributions to what it described as a credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral process.
The organisation has also released the names of newly elected District Coordinators and District Secretaries, along with the organisations they represent across the respective districts
