Parliament of sirra leone has taken a significant step toward strengthening electoral accountability with the establishment of an Ad hoc Parliamentary Oversight Committee to monitor the operations of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).

The move, announced by the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, is in line with Recommendation 20 of the Tripartite Committee Report, which calls for the creation of an independent parliamentary mechanism to ensure credible, free, and fair elections.

Speaking during plenary, Speaker Thomas underscored Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard democratic institutions and restore public confidence in the electoral process.

“The people of Sierra Leone deserve an electoral process that is transparent, inclusive, and trusted by all,” he said, noting that the committee will closely monitor ECSL’s activities ahead of upcoming elections.

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The committee will be chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, with the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma, serving as Deputy Chairman, an arrangement the Speaker described as a reflection of bipartisan commitment to electoral governance.

Membership of the committee cuts across both the Government and Opposition benches to ensure balance and inclusivity. Among those appointed is Hon. Aminata Sesay, Member of Parliament for Port Loko District, whose selection has been linked to her strong parliamentary performance and reputation for objective debate on national issues.

The committee is expected to play a critical role in overseeing ECSL’s preparations, budget implementation, and engagement with political parties and other stakeholders in the months ahead.

The establishment of the oversight body has been widely welcomed by civil society organisations and development partners, who see it as a key step toward implementing the Tripartite recommendations and rebuilding trust in Sierra Leone’s electoral system.

Parliament is expected to receive regular updates from the committee as it carries out its mandate.