Freetown, 12 February 2026 — The Lawyers’ Society has strongly criticized the proposed appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner, urging the Government of Sierra Leone to suspend the process until ongoing constitutional reforms are concluded.
The Society’s statement follows the circulation of a letter dated 10 February 2026, reportedly from the Office of the President, requesting the views of registered political parties on Mr. Alpha’s proposed appointment. The consultation is being conducted in accordance with Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone (as amended), which requires the President to consult all registered political parties before appointing a Chief Electoral Commissioner.
Mr. Alpha is currently serving as a commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
However, the Lawyers’ Society argues that proceeding with the appointment at this time could undermine ongoing constitutional review discussions and disregard recommendations contained in both the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) Report and the Agreement for National Unity, also known as the Tripartite Report.
According to the Society, both reports recommend amending the current appointment process outlined in Section 32(3) by establishing a Search and Nomination Committee. This proposed body would be responsible for identifying and submitting qualified nominees to the President for appointment to the ECSL and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC).
The Society specifically referenced Recommendation 36 of the Tripartite Report and Recommendation 8.10 of the CRC Report, which call for the creation of such a committee. It warned that appointing a Chief Electoral Commissioner before these recommendations are implemented could compromise the integrity of the reform process and create the perception that the government lacks commitment to meaningful electoral reforms.
Furthermore, the Society expressed concern that moving forward with the appointment before implementing other key recommendations, including Recommendation 6, which calls for an external functional review of the ECSL, could repeat transparency and accountability challenges observed during the 2023 general elections.
“Such actions risk reinforcing previous shortcomings rather than advancing accountability and reform within the ECSL,” the statement noted.
In light of these concerns, the Lawyers’ Society has urged the Government of Sierra Leone to reconsider the proposed appointment, conclude the constitutional review process, and fully implement the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement, particularly those relating to the appointment of members of the ECSL and the PPRC.
The Society emphasized that adherence to agreed reform measures is essential to strengthening public confidence in the country’s electoral system and democratic governance.
