Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 16, 2026 – The main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has vehemently questioned the suitability of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha to serve as Chief Electoral Commissioner for Sierra Leone’s upcoming 2028 general elections, following President Julius Maada Bio’s recent proposal to appoint him to the role.
The APC’s concerns stem from Alpha’s involvement in the highly disputed 2023 elections, which were marred by allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency.
In a strongly worded statement, the APC highlighted Alpha’s role as Commissioner for the Eastern Region during the 2023 Presidential and General Elections.
The party described the polls as lacking credibility, pointing to “serious statistical inconsistencies” that undermined the announced results. Local and international observers, including the European Union Election Observation Mission and the Carter Center, echoed these criticisms, noting flaws in voter registration, census disputes, and opacity in vote tabulation. The EU specifically flagged “statistical inconsistencies” in presidential results, such as unusually high voter turnout exceeding 95% in some districts and discrepancies in valid votes per polling station.
The 2023 elections saw President Bio secure a second term with 56% of the vote, narrowly avoiding a runoff against APC candidate Samura Kamara, who garnered 41%. However, the APC rejected the outcome, labeling it fraudulent and boycotting parliament and local councils in protest. This standoff led to a mediated national unity agreement in October 2023, facilitated by the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Commonwealth, which committed the government to electoral reforms via a Tripartite Committee. The committee’s report, released later, emphasized the need for reviews of electoral systems and management bodies to restore trust.
The APC argued that the condemnations from both domestic opposition and reputable international experts constitute “a necessary and sufficient condition to disqualify Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha for consideration and appointment as Chief Electoral Commissioner now and in the future.”
The party has long demanded the removal of all electoral commissioners involved in the 2023 process, viewing Alpha’s potential elevation as a setback to much-needed reforms.
President Bio’s proposal, outlined in a letter dated February 10, 2026, from the Office of the President, seeks consultations with all registered political parties as required by Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution. Alpha, who has served as an ECSL commissioner and acting Chief Electoral Commissioner since July 2025 following the expiration of his predecessor’s term, is positioned to lead the body responsible for conducting elections if approved by Parliament.
The nomination has sparked broader outrage, with the Lawyers’ Society condemning it as premature amid ongoing constitutional reviews and pending implementation of the Tripartite Agreement’s recommendations.
The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) has also urged the withdrawal of the proposal, citing a pattern of partisan appointments that could undermine the ECSL’s independence. Opposition figures, including Ady Macauley, have warned that proceeding with Alpha’s appointment risks further eroding public confidence in the electoral process.
As Sierra Leone approaches the 2028 elections, these developments underscore persistent political tensions in a nation still healing from the 2023 fallout.
