By Hajaratu S. Bangura
The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Edmond Sylvester Alpha, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, at his Youyi Building office, where they reaffirmed their commitment to promoting electoral transparency, strengthening public trust and combating misinformation and disinformation.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) and the ECSL discussed closer collaboration in public communication, civic education and citizens engagement.
A key outcome of the meeting was the commitment to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in information sharing on electoral matters.
Speaking during the engagement, Chairman Sylvester Alpha emphasized the importance of proactive communication in an increasingly digital information environment.
“The increasing influence of digital media and the rapid spread of information have created both opportunities and challenges for electoral management. While information technologies have enhanced public access to information, they have also increased the risk of misinformation and disinformation,” he said.
The Minister Chernor Bah welcomed the visit and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting transparency and public awareness. He noted that credible information remains critical to maintaining public confidence.
“We want to support your efforts, we want to make sure that you succeed because when you succeed, Sierra Leone succeeds,” the Minister stated.
The meeting also discussed ongoing electoral reforms, public education initiatives and opportunities to leverage emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to enhance voter education. It was agreed by both institutions to work closely on future public engagements aimed at improving citizens’ understanding of electoral processes and strengthening Sierra Leone’s democracy.
