By: James Kamara-Manneh
In a bid to foster more inclusive, transparent, and peaceful electoral processes in Sierra Leone, the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) has submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations to the Tripartite Committee on Electoral Reform. Addressing the Co-Chairs and Members of the Committee, the IGR expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on electoral reform.
The recommendations, outlined in a letter addressed to the Committee, underscore the urgent need for transformative measures to address longstanding challenges in Sierra Leone’s electoral landscape. Drawing upon years of research and advocacy in governance reform, the IGR highlighted systemic issues contributing to electoral tensions and called for bold reforms to promote fairness, accountability, and political stability.
Central to the IGR’s recommendations is the call for enhanced accountability within the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the justice system. Recognizing the role of political violence in undermining electoral integrity, the IGR proposed measures to ensure swift and impartial justice for perpetrators of violence, irrespective of their political affiliations. Additionally, the IGR advocated for reforms to strengthen intelligence gathering and training within the SLP to effectively respond to security threats during electoral processes.
The letter also addressed the need to overcome the entrenched “winner-takes-all” mentality in Sierra Leonean politics. Emphasizing the detrimental effects of regional and ethnic biases in electoral dynamics, the IGR proposed measures to decentralize power and promote proportional representation, thereby fostering greater inclusivity and reducing electoral polarization.
Furthermore, the IGR highlighted the importance of addressing electoral grievances in a timely and transparent manner. Recommendations included extending the period between election results and presidential inauguration to allow for the resolution of disputes and ensuring the timely publication of polling station results to enhance transparency.
In a bid to increase public trust in the electoral process, the IGR called for measures to promote transparency, including broadcasting the tallying process on national television and establishing inclusive mechanisms for local election observation. The letter also stressed the need for capacity building within political parties to promote policy-based campaigns and greater accountability to their members.
Finally, the IGR urged the establishment of a formal transition mechanism through legislation to facilitate smooth transfers of power between administrations, thereby fostering political stability and constructive opposition engagement.
The submission of these recommendations marks a significant step towards fostering constructive dialogue and collaboration between civil society and governmental stakeholders in advancing electoral reform in Sierra Leone. The IGR expressed readiness to engage further with the Tripartite Committee to discuss the proposed reforms in detail and offered their support in the implementation process.
As Sierra Leone navigates its electoral reform journey, the recommendations put forth by the IGR serve as a roadmap towards building a more inclusive, transparent, and resilient democratic system.
