By: Aminata Sesay
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has approved the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to oversee the work of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), representing a key step in implementing electoral reform commitments outlined in the Agreement for National Unity and the Tripartite Committee Report.
The committee was announced by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, during a parliamentary sitting. Its formation follows Recommendation 20 of the Tripartite Committee Report, which calls for the creation of a parliamentary oversight mechanism to strengthen legislative supervision of the ECSL, promote transparency and accountability, and boost public confidence in the country’s electoral processes.
The Tripartite Committee was established as part of the Agreement for National Unity signed between the Government of Sierra Leone and the All-People’s Congress (APC) after the June 2023 general elections. One of its key recommendations was the establishment of a multi-party parliamentary committee to monitor and provide oversight of the ECSL as part of broader efforts to improve electoral governance and rebuild trust in democratic institutions.
The newly approved committee will be chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, while the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma, will serve as Deputy Chairman.
Other members of the committee include Hon. Bashiru Silikie, Hon. Sir M.C. Salami, Hon. Dixon Momoh Rogers, Hon. Veronica K. Sesay, Hon. Neneh Lebby, Hon. Daniel B. Koroma, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally, Hon. Amara Sesay, Hon. Rugiatu Rosy Kanu, Hon. William J. Songa, Hon. Mariu S. Conteh, Hon. P.C. Paul Ngaba Saquee V, and Hon. P.C. Alhaji Papa Kanu.
The composition of the committee received unanimous approval from Members of Parliament after the Speaker presented the motion for consideration.
Following the approval, Speaker Thomas instructed the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of Government Business to consult with their respective members to develop separate Terms of Reference (TORs) for the committee.
He explained that a joint meeting would later be held to harmonize the proposals into a single Terms of Reference, which would then be presented to Parliament for approval before the committee officially begins its operations.
“I’ll call a meeting for us to discuss the TOR, agree, and bring the TOR to this Parliament for approval. Then the committee can begin to operate,” Speaker Thomas stated.
The Speaker further encouraged both sides of the House to work together in developing a clear and inclusive framework that would guide the committee’s activities.
The establishment of the ECSL Oversight Committee marks one of the practical outcomes of the Tripartite electoral reform process and highlights Parliament’s commitment to strengthening oversight of electoral institutions as Sierra Leone continues efforts to improve democratic governance, transparency, and the credibility of future elections.