Freetown – In a notable display of political inclusion, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has been appointed to chair a new ad hoc Election Monitoring Committee established by Parliament to provide oversight of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
Speaker of Parliament Hon. Sengehpo Solomon Thomas announced the formation of the 16-member committee on Thursday, signalling a deliberate effort to place the opposition at the forefront of electoral scrutiny ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The committee draws its members from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), the All People’s Congress (APC), and Paramount Chief Members of Parliament. Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma, the Leader of Government Business, will serve as deputy chair.
The move aligns with Recommendation 20 of the National Agreement for Unity, which recommended the creation of a dedicated Parliamentary Standing Committee on elections. By fast-tracking an ad hoc version, lawmakers aim to immediately enhance transparency and preparedness in the electoral process.
Addressing the House, Speaker Thomas directed both party leaders to consult their caucuses and prepare draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for the committee’s work.
“We have now formed the ad hoc committee. I now urge the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of Government Business to engage your respective membership and prepare two different TOR. I will call a meeting for us to discuss the TOR, agree and bring the TOR for approval,” Hon. Thomas said.
The committee’s mandate will include monitoring ECSL operations, reviewing the entire electoral cycle, assessing preparedness, and proposing legislative reforms necessary for credible 2028 polls.
By giving the opposition a central role in overseeing the body responsible for conducting elections, Parliament is sending a strong signal of its commitment to bipartisanship and democratic accountability.
The committee is expected to begin work once its Terms of Reference are approved by the full House.
