Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 23, 2026– The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has issued an urgent call for an emergency meeting to address the contentious appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The gathering, scheduled for tomorrow, aims to deliberate on recent developments surrounding the nomination and to formulate a unified party response.
In a public notice dated February 23, 2026, signed by National Secretary-General Lansana Dumbuya, the APC invited all members of Parliament, regional chairpersons, district chairpersons, mayors, chairpersons, councillors, and other key party figures to convene at the APC Party Headquarters in the We Yone Building, Old Railway Line, Freetown.
The meeting is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Attendance is described as mandatory, emphasizing the critical national and institutional importance of the discussions. The notice underscores that punctuality is required for all designated officials to be present.
The primary focus of the meeting is the proposed appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha, which has sparked significant controversy within political circles. Following the deliberations, the National Advisory Committee (NAC) will convene to review and approve resolutions emerging from the talks. Additionally, the NAC is expected to endorse recommendations for new members of the Interim Elections Complaints Board (IECB) to replace those deemed delinquent in their attendance of meetings.
This emergency session comes on the heels of President Julius Maada Bio’s formal appointment of Alpha on February 20, 2026, as announced by the Office of the President.
The nomination process began earlier in the month, with consultations initiated on February 10, 2026, when the government sought endorsements from registered political parties. While 13 out of 14 political parties reportedly approved the appointment, the APC has been vocal in its opposition, rejecting the move in formal letters dated February 13 and 17, 2026.
The APC’s resistance stems from lingering concerns over the integrity of Sierra Leone’s electoral processes, particularly in light of the disputed 2023 general elections. During those polls, the ECSL declared President Bio the winner with over 55% of the vote, but the APC rejected the results, alleging irregularities and a lack of transparency in the tabulation process. International observers, including the European Union Election Observation Mission and the Carter Center, highlighted issues such as flawed voter registration, census disputes, and the failure to publish disaggregated results per polling station, which fueled post-election tensions.
Public trust in the ECSL has since plummeted, dropping from 64% in 2018 to just 34% according to recent surveys.
A Tripartite Committee was established post-2023 to review electoral systems and recommend reforms, producing 80 proposals aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness. However, the APC argues that appointing a new commissioner without fully implementing these reforms undermines public confidence and the spirit of reconciliation.
In a statement shared on social media, an APC affiliate emphasized, “We are against the appointment of Mr. Edmond S. Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner for the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone.”
Edmond Sylvester Alpha, the appointee at the center of the storm, is no stranger to the ECSL. He has served as the Acting Chairman and Chief Electoral Commissioner since July 2025, following his role as Electoral Commissioner for the Southern Region. Alpha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Njala University College, where he graduated with Division One honors in English and Geography. His extensive experience in election administration and civic education has been highlighted by supporters, though critics question his impartiality amid the unresolved 2023 disputes.
Adding to the controversy, the Sierra Leone Bar Association initially congratulated Alpha but later retracted the statement due to emerging constitutional concerns.
As tensions simmer, stakeholders are watching closely to see if this meeting will escalate the political divide or pave the way for dialogue. The APC has not yet released further details on expected outcomes, but the notice stresses the urgency of unity within the party ranks.
