By Sorie Rahman Sesay
On November 5, 2024, the Public Service Reform Unit (PSRU), together with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), held an inception meeting with the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Office of National Security at the ECSL office in Tower Hill, Freetown.
The Director of PSRU, Sulaiman Foray Musa, stated that the PSRU is responsible for driving and coordinating reforms within the public sector to bolster accountability and effectiveness in government institutions. As part of this mandate, the PSRU is undertaking a review based on recommendations 6, 10, 21, 72, 76, and 77 from the Tripartite Committee concerning the recently concluded 2023 elections. The review will focus on institutional strengthening, structural alignment, and systems process improvement. In his presentation, Musa outlined the review process, including its background, strategies, methodology, key areas, scope of work, expected outcomes, independent management, functional review methodology, report layout, and timeline. An MOU has been signed with IFES, PSRU, and the Chief Minister. “This comprehensive review underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening electoral processes in Sierra Leone,” he added. He further noted that the review would serve as a diagnostic assessment to investigate the ECSL’s systems and processes thoroughly and would be conducted every five years in alignment with the “Big Five” national development and transformation priorities.
The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of ECONEC, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, expressed ECSL’s willingness to support the PSRU’s review. He agreed to provide a staff member to assist PSRU with emergency responses. However, he emphasized that this is the first time PSRU is reviewing ECSL’s operations, management, and functions. Konneh further suggested that the Director use the term “enhancing the commission” instead of “rebuilding the commission,” underscoring that ECSL is fully functional and has no significant lapses.
Southern Region Commissioner Edmond Sylvester Alpha remarked on key issues highlighted in Musa’s presentation. He noted his 19-year tenure with ECSL and pointed out that, although PSRU’s involvement is new, capacity building is familiar to ECSL, with staff having accumulated extensive experience in election management. Alpha urged the Director not to view ECSL staff as novices and expressed caution over the specific language used in PSRU’s objectives, such as terms like “thorough” and “diagnostic assessment.”
The Northern Region Commissioner pointed out that PSRU’s approach borders closely on an election audit rather than a review. He emphasized that PSRU should adhere to their five ethical principles: transparency, impartiality, competence, sustainability, and accountability.
IFES, an organization committed to supporting democratic governance, works in Sierra Leone to enhance election processes, voter education, and citizen engagement. During the meeting, IFES representatives acknowledged ECSL’s competence and commended the commission’s achievements.
esses, voter education, and citizen engagement. During the meeting, IFES representatives acknowledged ECSL’s competence and commended the commission’s achievements.