The Lawyers’ Society has condemned the proposed appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner, citing concerns over the timing of the move amid ongoing constitutional review discussions and the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity (Tripartite) recommendations.
According to a press release dated 12th February 2026, the Society said it had seen a letter dated 10th February 2026 circulating on social media, purportedly from the Office of the President, seeking the views of all registered political parties on the proposed appointment. Mr. Alpha is currently serving as a Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The Society noted that the consultation process referenced Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6 of 1991 as amended), which requires the President to consult registered political parties before appointing a Chief Electoral Commissioner.
However, the Society argued that proceeding with the appointment at this stage could undermine ongoing constitutional reform efforts.
The Lawyers’ Society stated that appointing a Chief Electoral Commissioner during active discussions on constitutional amendments risks disregarding the expressed will of the people, as captured in both the Constitutional Review Committee Report and the Tripartite Agreement Report. Both documents recommend reforms to the current appointment procedure, including the establishment of a Search and Nomination Committee to provide nominees to the President for the appointment of ECSL and Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) officials.
The press release further referenced Recommendation 36 of the Tripartite Report and Recommendation 8.10 of the Constitutional Review Committee, which call for the creation of such a committee. Implementing an appointment before these recommendations are enacted, the Society warned, could compromise the integrity of the reform process and create perceptions of weak commitment to electoral governance reforms.
Additionally, the Society pointed to Recommendation 6, which calls for an external functional review of the ECSL. It cautioned that moving ahead with the appointment before this and other key reforms are implemented could repeat transparency and accountability challenges observed during the 2023 elections.
The Society maintained that such action risks reinforcing past shortcomings rather than advancing meaningful accountability within the electoral management body.
In light of these concerns, the Lawyers’ Society urged the Government of Sierra Leone to reconsider the proposed appointment, conclude the constitutional review process, and fully implement the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement—particularly those relating to the appointment processes for ECSL and PPRC leadership.
The statement was issued from the Society’s office at 69 Campbell Street, Freetown.
