By Alimatu Jalloh
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has completed a two-day stakeholder engagement in Makeni, concluding on May 20, 2025. This initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing consultations across regions to incorporate recommendations from the Tripartite Committee into its upcoming 2025–2029 strategic framework.
Held at the Bombali District Council Hall, the session brought together representatives from civil society, political parties, and local authorities. It followed an internal briefing on May 19 with ECSL’s regional staff to prepare for external discussions.
Reviewing Past Strategies and Planning Ahead
ECSL Executive Secretary William Davis emphasized that the engagement sought to assess the Commission’s previous five-year strategic plan (2020–2024) and gather stakeholder input for the next roadmap.
“The Commission is in Makeni to ask stakeholders on their assessment of the previous strategic plan and to build a roadmap for the next one,” Davis stated.
Similar consultations have already been conducted in Kenema and Bo.
Davis further noted that recommendations from the Tripartite Committee—formed in response to concerns from the previous elections—are already being implemented by the Commission.
Legal Framework and Electoral Reforms
ECSL Chairman Mohamed Konneh reinforced the Commission’s legal mandate and its commitment to collaborative electoral planning. He explained that the Tripartite Committee—comprising government, opposition, and development partners—was established to propose electoral reforms.
Konneh disclosed that the Commission’s previous strategy consisted of 10 key components and 163 initiatives, with an 85% completion rate. He added that lessons learned from past elections are being considered for the upcoming planning cycle.
To support transparency and stakeholder engagement, ECSL, with assistance from the EU and development partners, contracted consultant Francis Sowa to develop policies focused on engagement and public access to records.
Sowa highlighted two recommendations being addressed: the first calls for a consultation policy to enhance transparency in ECSL’s interactions with stakeholders, while the third focuses on improving public access to electoral information.
“The recommendation is that all Commission documents should be public except those related to privacy or commercially sensitive information,” Sowa explained.
Looking Ahead
Regional Commissioner Abubakarr Koroma reiterated ECSL’s commitment to reviewing election processes for improvements. However, he clarified that while the Commission can propose reforms, Parliament is responsible for enacting electoral laws.
“The Commission made several recommendations before the Tripartite report, but Parliament didn’t pass some of them,” Koroma noted.
Welcoming attendees, Bombali District Council Chairman Dr. Mohamed Sesay emphasized the role of planning in credible elections and encouraged active participation.
Stakeholders engaged in group discussions, contributing to the strategic planning process. ECSL continued regional consultations in Port Loko on May 21–22, with the final engagement set for May 29 in Freetown.