The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Edmond Sylvester Alpha, has received a cross-section of the leadership of the Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Activists in Sierra Leone, led by Mr Charles Mambu, to formally congratulate and recognise him at his Tower Hill office in Freetown.
It could be recalled that after the appointment and swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC) and Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), by His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio in February, the Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Activists on Friday 13 March 2026, officially congratulated Edmond Sylvester Alpha on his appointment while urging constructive engagement.
In what was described by many as an unprecedented move by the Coalition, the entire leadership of the group converged at the ECSL Tower Hill Headquarters to express their solidarity and formally recognise the ECSL Chairman on his new appointment by President Bio.
While reading out their position statement on the appointment of Mr Edmond Sylvester Alpha, Chairman of the Coalition, Mr Charles Mambu revealed that they are gathered at the ECSL Headquarters to sincerely and faithfully congratulate and recognise the country’s new Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC) and Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The Chairman confirms that “we are congratulating you because we are firmly convinced that you are spiritually, academically, and professionally qualified for the position as CEC and Chairman of ECSL.” The chairman went on to describe the appointment and the parliamentary vetting process as one that is within the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
Mr Mambu outlined that sustaining democracy like ours in Sierra Leone is one that carries a heavy burden and price that everyone in the public, civil, and general society must pay. He pointed out that no democracy can thrive without a strengthened partnership and collaboration between democratic institutions and civil society organisations.
The coalition reminded the Commission of how they have demonstrated their long-standing vow to promote and protect democracy in the country, spanning since the end of the rebel war. Because they are committed and stand for unity and national cohesion, they urge the commission to continue administering its mandate in accordance with the 1991 constitution and its related regulations.
The Coalition calls for an open-door policy for all registered political parties for a constructive engagement with the Commission to promote multi-party democracy, while calling for an inclusive political culture where all players will meet at a crucial junction as they strive to strengthen our democratic system.
While appreciating the role of civil society in the country in educating the public on key electoral activities, the Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC) and Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) said they have contributed to reducing misinformation in past elections.
Mr Edmond Sylvester Alpha expressed how profoundly humbled he was for the recognition courtesy of the collective voice of our nation’s civil society, the very sentinels of our democracy. He confirmed accepting the recognition not as a personal accolade but as an affirmation of the rigorous, transparent, and inclusive processes that underpin our commission.
“My journey through the appointment process was a testament to the strength of our institutions, and your presence here today lends immense credence to that success. For that, I am sincerely grateful,” he assured, emphasising that political parties, civil society, the media, and the security forces, “I offer a message of partnership for our democracy to be consolidated. We must all cultivate and manifest a deep understanding of forbearance, patience, and trust in the process of administering the election,” he assured.
Credit – Salone Civic and Voter Education Media Team
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 18th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
