By George M.O. Williams
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has commenced a regional stakeholder validation exercise in Kenema for its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, aimed at strengthening electoral transparency, participation and public confidence in the country’s democratic processes.
The engagement, held on Monday, September 28, 2026, brought together key electoral stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, the media, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies and development partners from the Eastern Region to review and validate the Commission’s proposed five-year roadmap.
Speaking at the opening session, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of ECSL, Edmond Sylvester Alpha, emphasized that public trust in elections is built throughout the entire electoral cycle through transparency, accountability, effective communication and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
He underscored the importance of ensuring that citizens and electoral stakeholders are adequately informed about electoral laws, procedures and institutional responsibilities to promote informed participation in the democratic process.
According to Chairman Alpha, stakeholder engagement remains critical to strengthening electoral administration and safeguarding the integrity of elections in Sierra Leone.
Held under the theme, “Strengthening Electoral Transparency and Participation,” the validation exercise provides stakeholders with an opportunity to scrutinize the priorities and objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan and make recommendations before its final adoption and implementation.
The Commission said the consultations are intended to encourage dialogue, consensus-building and the exchange of ideas on issues affecting electoral governance and democratic development.
The ECSL’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan is designed as a results-oriented framework to guide the Commission’s operations over the next five years, strengthen institutional capacity, improve electoral credibility and deepen public confidence in democratic governance.
According to the Commission, the plan incorporates lessons learned from recent elections, addresses emerging electoral challenges and aligns with national development priorities as well as international best practices for electoral management bodies.
The strategy is anchored on four key pillars: Institutional and Staff Development; Electoral Education, Communication and Participation; Electoral Operations; and ICT and Data Management Systems.
The first pillar focuses on strengthening internal systems, leadership effectiveness, staff capacity and accountability, while the second aims to expand civic and voter education programmes to promote informed and peaceful participation.
The third pillar seeks to improve election planning, logistics and operational coordination, while the fourth focuses on developing modern ICT and data management systems to support transparent, credible and inclusive electoral processes.
The regional validation exercise will continue in Bo on September 29, Makeni on October 1, and Port Loko on October 2, providing stakeholders across the country with an opportunity to contribute to the finalization of the Strategic Plan.
ECSL said the consultations will help shape the Commission’s strategic direction and strengthen its capacity to deliver credible elections over the 2025-2029 electoral cycle.