By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha, has arrived in the Arab Republic of Egypt to lead Sierra Leone’s delegation to the 10th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and the General Assembly of the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA).
Mr. Alpha arrived in Cairo on 5 July 2026, accompanied by Albert Massaquoi, Esq., Director of External Relations. Upon their arrival, the delegation was warmly received by officials of the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Cairo.
The three-day forum and General Assembly are scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 July 2026 in Sharm El-Sheikh, bringing together election officials and democratic governance experts from across the African continent.
The event is convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA) and is hosted by Egypt’s National Elections Authority.
This year’s forum is being held under the theme: “Diaspora (Residents Abroad) Voting: Progress, Gaps and Prospects.”
The high-level gathering provides an opportunity for Election Management Bodies (EMBs) across Africa to exchange experiences, share best practices, and explore innovative strategies for strengthening electoral governance and democratic institutions.
Discussions will focus on enhancing stakeholder engagement, promoting inclusive electoral processes, and addressing the opportunities and challenges associated with diaspora voting. Participants are also expected to examine practical approaches to improving the participation of citizens living outside their countries of origin in national elections.
Sierra Leone’s participation in the 10th Annual Continental Forum and the AAEA General Assembly underscores the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone’s commitment to promoting credible, transparent, peaceful, and inclusive elections.
Through its engagement at the continental level, ECSL aims to contribute to collective African efforts to strengthen democracy, improve electoral integrity, and foster the exchange of knowledge and best practices among Election Management Bodies. The Commission’s participation also reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to learning from the experiences of other African countries while sharing its own achievements and lessons in electoral management.
The deliberations in Sharm El-Sheikh are expected to produce recommendations that will assist Election Management Bodies in enhancing electoral processes, expanding inclusivity, and upholding democratic principles in line with the African Union’s governance frameworks.