Freetown, 17th February, 2026 – The opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) has formally rejected the proposed appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), citing concerns over credibility, transparency, and public confidence in the electoral process.
In a letter addressed to State House and signed by Acting Chairman Amb. Osman Foday Yansaneh, the APC acknowledged receipt of the government’s communication dated February 10, 2026, but insisted that Alpha’s nomination undermines the spirit of ongoing electoral reforms recommended by the Tripartite Committee following the disputed 2023 elections.
The APC argued that Alpha, who served as a senior member of the Commission during the 2023 polls, was directly associated with an election widely criticized by both local and international observers for “serious statistical inconsistencies” and a lack of transparency. The party reiterated its long‑standing demand that all commissioners involved in the 2023 process be removed.
The party further expressed alarm over Alpha’s public remarks suggesting that the 2028 elections would not differ from those of 2023. According to the APC, such statements risk eroding confidence in the neutrality and independence of the Commission’s leadership.
The APC also accused Alpha of hostility toward election observers, citing an incident in Port Loko District where a representative of the National Elections Watch (NEW) was asked to leave a polling station during a chieftaincy election. The party argued that credible elections require openness to oversight and constructive engagement with observer missions.
Reaffirming its commitment to democracy and the rule of law, the APC warned it would lawfully resist any attempt to replicate the conditions of the 2023 elections. The party urged President Julius Maada Bio to appoint another suitably qualified Sierra Leonean whose record and public standing can inspire national confidence and strengthen the credibility of the ECSL ahead of the 2028 polls.
“The proposed appointment of Mr. Alpha is not in the best interest of Sierra Leone, as it will significantly weaken public confidence in the Electoral Commission and jeopardize prospects for credible electoral reform,” the APC stated.
The letter concludes with the APC expressing readiness for further constructive engagement to safeguard peace, stability, and electoral integrity in Sierra Leone.
