By Musa Aiahson Koroma
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) as part of preparations for the country’s next general elections. The engagement highlighted the importance of institutional partnership in building trust and strengthening Sierra Leone’s democratic systems.
This renewed commitment was underscored during a courtesy visit by a high‑level ECSL delegation to the NCRA headquarters on King Harman Road, Freetown, held on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The delegation was led by Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman Edmond Sylvester Alpha, who was received by NCRA Director General Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi and his management team.
Mr. Massaquoi described the meeting as a demonstration of mutual respect and institutional recognition. He stressed that the NCRA remains committed to supporting the ECSL in a professional and transparent manner, consistent with international best practices. He noted that the partnership between the two institutions spans more than two decades, built on trust, technical expertise, and a shared determination to safeguard electoral credibility.
He explained that both institutions have accumulated extensive experience in electoral management and continue to play pivotal roles in ensuring that election outcomes are accepted as credible and reflective of the democratic will of the people. A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to review the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Mr. Massaquoi said emerging developments, recommendations from international electoral missions, and evolving operational realities have created the need for a stronger framework of cooperation.
He added that recommendations from United Nations‑supported missions and other technical assessments would be incorporated into the revised agreement to further strengthen collaboration. “The review will enable us to accommodate emerging issues and ensure that our operations remain aligned with international standards and best practices,” Mr. Massaquoi affirmed.
In his remarks, Commissioner Alpha described the visit as both symbolic and strategic. He emphasized the indispensable role of the NCRA in supporting credible elections through the provision of accurate civil registration data. He commended Mr. Massaquoi and his team for expanding access to registration services nationwide, noting that these achievements have enhanced national inclusion and identity management.
Mr. Alpha further disclosed that technical teams from both institutions will intensify engagements in the coming months to review operational frameworks and prepare for activities leading to the 2028 elections. He stressed that trust and confidence‑building remain central to the ECSL’s reform agenda, adding that strong collaboration with the NCRA is essential for enhancing the integrity, transparency, and credibility of future electoral processes.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to greater collaboration, joint public engagements, and strengthened institutional cooperation for the benefit of Sierra Leone. The ECSL Chairman was accompanied by three regional commissioners and senior officials of the Commission.
The visit concluded with optimism that a revised Memorandum of Understanding will further consolidate the partnership and reinforce public confidence in Sierra Leone’s democratic and governance systems. For Mr. Massaquoi and the NCRA, the engagement marked another important step in ensuring that every eligible Sierra Leonean is accurately captured within the civil registration framework, thereby supporting inclusive participation in the democratic process.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 22nd June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
