State House, Freetown, August, 2026 – The 2025 Annual Report of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) was today formally presented to President Dr Julius Maada Bio at State House. The report was presented by Mr Edmond Alpha, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Commission, pursuant to the constitutional obligation of the Commission to report on its programs and activities annually.
Mr Alpha presented the document saying the handover was an honour and a serious responsibility. He reminded the assembly that the submission was in accordance with Section 32(12) of the Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution (Act No. 6 of 1991) which provides that the Chief Electoral Commissioner shall submit an annual report to the President with a copy to be laid before Parliament. The report, he said, is not just a statutory requirement but a demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance and meant to provide a comprehensive account of how the ECSL has executed its constitutional mandate.
“The 2025 report is a holistic report on the Commission’s activities, achievements, challenges and financial stewardship for the year under review,” said Mr Alpha. He pointed to several institutional improvements including investment in staff capacity development, the building of regional offices to improve outreach, expansion of staff training and election observation programs, improved internal governance systems, greater focus on evidence-based decision-making and the establishment of enhanced accountability mechanisms. He said the initiatives were aimed at strengthening the Commission’s capacity to manage electoral processes professionally, impartially and strictly in accordance with Sierra Leonean law.
The Chief Electoral Commissioner, Dr S. Y. Bawumia, in his presentation said the ECSL successfully conducted thirteen Paramount Chieftaincy elections in six districts in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs. He also referred to the smooth leadership transition following the conclusion of the term of the former Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman, Mr Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, on July 27, 2025. Mr Alpha also noted the international recognition of the work of the Commission. He said: “The ECSL was awarded the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) Award for Electoral Conflict Management, a recognition of the conduct of the Commission during and after the 2023 general elections.
Despite the challenges faced, Mr Alpha said lessons learned from past experiences will be used to improve future electoral processes and increase public confidence. He expressed gratitude to the Sierra Leonean government for its continued financial support, which he said has been crucial to the ECSL’s ability to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities effectively. The Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ongoing institutional improvement, to the enhancement of its independence and to increased transparency and accountability. He committed to continue working to promote electoral management innovation, deepen stakeholder engagement and uphold the principles of impartiality, inclusiveness, professionalism, integrity and service to the Sierra Leone people.
President Bio welcomed the ECSL delegation and commended the professionalism, integrity, impartiality and resilience of the Commission before, during and after elections. He recognised the complex nature of electoral management and said it was “a very difficult job”, acknowledging the pressures that come with running credible elections.
The President urged the Commission to continue to demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, fairness, impartiality and integrity. He underscored that the way electoral processes are carried out in future will be vital to strengthen public trust and confidence in the institution. President Bio said the ECSL has done well even with the many challenges it has had to overcome and called on the leadership of the Commission to start preparations for future elections in good time. He emphasised the need for planning, continued capacity-building for staff, the efficient conduct of elections and the prompt declaration of results.
President Bio further assured the Commission of his personal and institutional support as it carried out its constitutional mandate, emphasising the commitment of his government to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting credible, peaceful and transparent elections. He formally received the 2025 Annual Report and thanked the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone for their continuous efforts to safeguard the country’s democratic governance.
The presentation reaffirms the institutional relationship of the ECSL with the Presidency and signals a shared commitment to improve the electoral administration in Sierra Leone through transparency, accountability and collaborative support.
