The proposed Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Edmond Sylvester Alpha, appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Tuesday for his official confirmation interview, pledging to deliver election results within 72 hours of voting if approved for the position.

Alpha, who has served with the ECSL since 2005 including several months as Acting Chairman, told committee members that he has overseen more than 12 elections nationwide, ranging from Paramount Chief polls to general elections.

“If I am approved as Chief Electoral Commissioner, I will ensure that results are announced within 72 hours after voting,” Alpha stated during the session.

Committee Chairman Hon. Matthew Nyuma reminded members that Section 32(2) of the 1991 Constitution empowers the President to appoint ECSL commissioners in consultation with political parties, subject to parliamentary approval. He disclosed that 13 political parties endorsed Alpha’s nomination, while two rejected it and another two abstained from the consultation process.

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During the session, Alpha defended his record, confirming the accuracy of his financial disclosures and stressing that he had never attempted to lobby or influence committee members. He emphasized confidence in the judiciary, pointing out that parties or citizens dissatisfied with electoral outcomes have constitutional avenues for redress.

“I am guided by the laws of Sierra Leone, not by politicians,” he said, adding that he has witnessed governments transition into opposition and opposition parties rise to power during his tenure.

Alpha is a long-serving electoral professional with extensive experience in election administration. He officially assumed the role of Acting Chairman on 21 July 2025, following the end of tenure of former Chairman Mohamed K. Konneh

His previous roles include serving as Electoral Commissioner for the Southern Region (2019–2025), Director of Training and Electoral Education (2010–2019), and various district electoral leadership positions. He is also recognized internationally as a BRIDGE facilitator, qualified to train electoral stakeholders on global democratic standards.

The interview proceeded against the backdrop of a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), which has strongly rejected Alpha’s nomination.

In a press release issued on 24 February 2026, the party’s National Advisory Council (NAC) expressed “grave concern” over the appointment, describing it as a “direct assault” on the Agreement for National Unity and a deliberate circumvention of the Tripartite reform process established after the disputed 2023 General Elections.

The APC referenced Recommendation 36 of the Tripartite Committee, which calls for amending Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution to establish an independent Search and Nomination Committee responsible for vetting candidates for the position of Chief Electoral Commissioner.

While noting that the Constitution Amendment Bill has undergone its First Reading in Parliament, the APC urged the government to complete the amendment process and secure the constitutionally required two-thirds majority vote before making any appointment to the office.

The party warned that if the appointment is not withdrawn within 48 hours of the notice, “all APC elected officials are hereby instructed to withdraw their participation and services from Parliament, Local Councils, and all other structures of governance across the Republic of Sierra Leone” .

The nomination has also drawn criticism from civil society organizations. The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) urged the government to reconsider the proposed appointment, arguing that proceeding with a substantive appointment before Parliament concludes deliberations on constitutional amendments preempts the reform process.

The Lawyers’ Society similarly condemned the proposed appointment as premature and potentially detrimental to ongoing constitutional and electoral reform processes, warning that it could compromise the integrity of the reform process and create the perception of a lack of commitment to genuine electoral reform.

President Julius Maada Bio formally appointed Alpha on February 20, 2026, following consultations initiated on February 10, when the government sought endorsements from registered political parties . The government has not issued an immediate response to the APC’s ultimatum.

Alpha’s nomination comes at a time when public trust in the ECSL has declined, dropping from 64% in 2018 to 34% according to recent surveys following the disputed 2023 elections. The Tripartite Committee established after the 2023 polls produced 80 recommendations aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness in Sierra Leone’s electoral system