A recent probe by Sierra Leone’s Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has unearthed serious accountability lapses within the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), raising concerns over unverified election-related expenditures.
Acting PAC Chairman, Hon. P.C. Kargobai, disclosed during committee proceedings that critical financial documentation — including fuel receipts and distribution lists — were missing from ECSL’s records, undermining efforts to audit funds reportedly spent during recent electoral operations.
According to the committee, ECSL reported spending Le 3.6 billion on fuel, motorbikes, and logistical support, yet failed to initially provide receipts or distribution records. Although fuel receipts totaling Le 3,092,840,000 have since been submitted and verified, a remaining Le 507,256,000 is yet to be accounted for.
“We are not saying the funds were misused, but verification is key,” Hon. Kargobai stated, adding that a one-week deadline has been given to ECSL to present the remaining documents.
He also instructed that an auditor be deployed to ECSL to expedite the verification process.
The PAC also uncovered unresolved impress funds totaling Le 7.9 billion, which were disbursed in 2016 to district electoral offices for activities including staff and police training, and voter awareness during parliamentary and chieftaincy elections. Of this amount, Le 7,447,039,000 has been retired, leaving Le 520,249,000 still pending proper retirement. Officials claim the remaining documents are kept separately and will be reviewed shortly.
Another Le 3 billion reportedly spent on unspecified electoral activities also came under scrutiny. So far, only Le 2 billion of that expenditure has been backed with documentation, leaving a gap of over Le 1 billion still unverified.
The PAC stressed the importance of documentation to restore public confidence in state institutions.
“We want to track every expenditure,” Hon. Kargobai affirmed. “Transparency and accountability are not optional — they are necessary.”
The Committee urged ECSL and other government entities to prioritize timely retirement of public funds and ensure all supporting documents are readily available for audit review.
