The Lawyers’ Society has strongly condemned the proposed appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner, urging the Government of Sierra Leone to reconsider the move pending the conclusion of the ongoing constitutional review process and the full implementation of the Agreement for National Unity (Tripartite Agreement).
In a press release, the Society stated that it had taken note of a letter dated 10th February 2026, purportedly from the Office of the President and circulated on social media, seeking the views of all registered political parties on the proposed appointment. Mr. Alpha is currently serving as a Commissioner of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The request for consultation is said to be in line with Section 32(3) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6 of 1991, as amended), which mandates the President to consult all registered political parties before appointing a Chief Electoral Commissioner.
However, the Lawyers’ Society expressed concern that proceeding with the appointment at this stage could undermine ongoing constitutional reform discussions. According to the Society, both the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) Report and the Tripartite Agreement recommend amendments to Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution. Specifically, they propose the establishment of a Search and Nomination Committee responsible for submitting nominees to the President for appointment to the ECSL and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC).
The Society warned that appointing a Chief Electoral Commissioner while these reform processes remain incomplete may disregard the expressed will of the people and weaken public confidence in the constitutional review exercise.
It further referenced Recommendation 36 of the Tripartite Report and Recommendation 8.10 of the Constitutional Review Committee, both of which call for the establishment of a Search and Nomination Committee.
The Lawyers’ Society argued that moving ahead with Mr. Alpha’s appointment before implementing these recommendations could compromise the integrity of the reform process and create the perception that there is insufficient commitment to genuine electoral reform and good governance.
Additionally, the Society highlighted Recommendation 6 of the Tripartite Agreement, which calls for an external functional review of the ECSL. It cautioned that proceeding with the appointment before undertaking such a review and implementing broader structural reforms risks repeating transparency and accountability challenges observed during the 2023 elections.
The Lawyers’ Society concluded by respectfully urging the Government of Sierra Leone to reconsider the proposed appointment, finalize the constitutional review process, and fully implement and honour the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement, particularly those relating to the appointment procedures for members of the ECSL and the PPRC.
