Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman Edmond Sylvester Alpha and NCRA Director General Mohamed Mubashir MassaquoiThe Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) have strengthened their long-standing collaboration as both agencies prepare for credible, transparent, and inclusive elections in 2028. The renewed commitment was highlighted during a high-level courtesy visit by ECSL leadership to the NCRA headquarters on King Harman Road in Freetown on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The ECSL delegation was led by Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman Edmond Sylvester Alpha, who was greeted warmly by NCRA Director General Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi and other senior officials. The meeting highlighted a twenty-year partnership built on mutual trust, professionalism, and a shared commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s democratic governance.
Director General Massaquoi described the visit as a clear example of institutional respect and practical cooperation. He reaffirmed the NCRA’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Electoral Commission through professional, transparent operations that meet internationally recognised standards. “Keeping high standards of transparency and professionalism is critical to promoting electoral integrity and maintaining public trust in our democratic processes,” Massaquoi stated during the engagement.
Massaquoi also stated that the collaboration between the two institutions has been critical in preserving the credibility of Sierra Leonean elections over the years. He stated that both the NCRA and the ECSL have extensive experience in electoral management and identity registration, and that their combined expertise continues to contribute significantly to ensuring that election results reflect the genuine will of the voters.
The meeting resulted in an agreement to conduct a comprehensive review and strengthening of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that governs cooperation between the ECSL and NCRA. Massaquoi explained that changing operational realities, new electoral challenges, and recommendations from international assessment missions have resulted in a pressing need for a stronger framework. The revised MoU aims to clarify roles, strengthen cooperation, and improve institutional responsiveness in the run-up to the 2028 election cycle.
The NCRA Director General also stated that the findings and recommendations of United Nations-supported electoral missions, as well as other technical assessments, will be thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the updated agreement. He emphasised that incorporating these external recommendations will help keep both institutions on track with global best practices while effectively addressing emerging issues in Sierra Leone’s electoral environment.
Chief Electoral Commissioner Edmond Sylvester Alpha praised the NCRA’s efforts to expand civil registration services nationwide. He recognised the Authority’s critical role in promoting inclusion, managing identity data, and supporting democratic governance, emphasising the importance of accurate civil registration and identity management in conducting fair and credible elections and fostering public trust in the electoral system.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in the run-up to 2028 through increased technical engagement, joint public awareness initiatives, and improved institutional coordination. As Sierra Leone continues its democratic journey, the ECSL and NCRA’s renewed partnership aims to boost public trust and ensure that every eligible citizen is correctly registered and empowered to participate in the country’s electoral process fully.
