Kenema District, Sierra Leone – May 24, 2026 — The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, successfully concluded the Paramount Chieftaincy Election in Dodo Chiefdom, Kenema District, on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Karim Mohamed Gegbai (also referred to as Gegbai Karim Mohamed) emerged victorious in the runoff, becoming the new Paramount Chief of Dodo Chiefdom.
The contest featured a competitive field of four qualified candidates from the chiefdom’s established ruling houses. After no candidate secured an outright majority in the initial round, a runoff was held between Gegbai and Kpakra Faba Sulaiman.
More than 800 Traditional Authorities, including Chiefdom Councillors, participated in the voting process, demonstrating robust community engagement in this vital aspect of local governance.
Paramount Chiefs in Sierra Leone serve for life and play a central role in customary law, land administration, dispute resolution, and community development.
Transparent Process and Strong Oversight
The election adhered strictly to the Chieftaincy Act of 2009. Appointed Assessor Chiefs, alongside senior officials from the ECSL and the Ministry of Local Government, closely monitored and validated the process to uphold transparency and credibility. Additionally, six independent observers from the accredited Election Observation Network, operating under the Public Elections Act, 2022, provided further scrutiny.
ECSL officials praised the peaceful conduct of the election and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to delivering free, fair, transparent, and credible electoral processes nationwide.
Dodo Chiefdom, located in the Eastern Province with its headquarters in the town of Dodo, has a rich history involving Mende communities and ruling families such as the Gegbai (associated with Kpakuyama) and Kpakra (linked to Kateh). The chiefdom has experienced past succession tensions between these lineages, making this orderly democratic process particularly significant for local stability.
The successful election is seen as a positive step in strengthening traditional institutions, which remain foundational to governance in rural Sierra Leone. Paramount Chiefs not only preserve cultural heritage but also collaborate with modern local councils on development initiatives.
Congratulations have been pouring in for the new Paramount Chief, with many residents hoping his leadership will drive progress in infrastructure, agriculture, and social cohesion in the chiefdom.
