His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha, following his approval by Parliament on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 at State House in Freetown.
Declaring the purpose of the ceremony, the Secretary to the President, Baba Brima Fortune, informed attendees that, in line with Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution, President Bio conducted consultations with the leadership of all registered political parties prior to the appointment. He disclosed that on 10 February 2026, 14 registered political parties were formally notified, and 12 parties submitted letters of approval supporting Mr. Alpha’s appointment.
Mr. Fortune further confirmed that the nominee underwent parliamentary scrutiny and was duly approved, paving the way for his swearing-in before the President, as prescribed by the Constitution.
After taking the oath of office to faithfully discharge his duties and uphold the Constitution, Mr. Alpha expressed profound gratitude to President Bio for the confidence reposed in him. Describing his appointment as “a sacred contract with the people of Sierra Leone,” he pledged to serve with independence, transparency, integrity, and inclusiveness.
“Our democracy thrives on the belief that every voice matters and every vote counts,” Mr. Alpha said, assuring citizens and political stakeholders that his leadership at ECSL would be guided strictly by the Constitution and the legal frameworks governing elections. He also committed to an open-door policy, constructive engagement, and objective dialogue with political parties and stakeholders.
President Bio, in his congratulatory remarks, stated that he exercised his constitutional authority in making the appointment, noting that, unlike previous instances he observed while in opposition, he fully complied with the consultative requirements of the Constitution. He described the role of Chief Electoral Commissioner as a weighty national responsibility and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the independence of the ECSL.
“This is not a mere appointment; it is a great responsibility,” the President said, urging the new Chairman and Commissioners to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication to the democratic ideals of the nation.
The President also reflected on key democratic reforms undertaken by his administration, including the repeal of Part Five of the Public Order Act and the abolition of the death penalty, reiterating his call for continuous national dialogue as the cornerstone of a thriving democracy.