By John Kelly Marah
Concerns over electoral credibility, voter confusion and institutional performance have led to a sweeping review of Sierra Leone’s Election Management Systems. These concerns echoed both within state institutions and across political lines, prompted President Julius Maada Bio to initiate a comprehensive electoral reform process, according to Dr. Emmanuel Gaima, Principal Adviser to the President on Public Sector Reform.
He stated while providing an update at the Government’s weekly Press Briefing held on June 24, 2025, at the Miatta Conference Centre.
Key among the issues raised were persistent void votes and inadequate voter education, despite repeated investments in election management. Technical and staffing challenges within the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) were also flagged, including financial constraints and difficulties in securing qualified personnel.
In response, Dr. Emmanuel Gaima pointed out that the Government established a Tripartite Committee following the June 2023 General Elections. The committee, according to him, was formed in the spirit of national dialogue and electoral reform, involving three parties: the Government, the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) and an independent arbiter from the United Nations system. He also mentioned how the process was supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat, ECOWAS, the African Union and former Vice President of The Gambia.
Dr. Emmanuel Gaima explained that the Tripartite Committee began its work in January 2024, with a six-month mandate concluding in June. On July 1, 2024, the Committee presented a report to President Bio containing eight key recommendations along with a detailed implementation plan.
Among the report’s top priorities were institutional reforms particularly at the ECSL ,he continued adding that within six months of the report’s submission, the Government initiated an Independent Functional Management Review (IFMR) of the Commission. The review, conducted by an external body in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Public Sector Reform Unit, was launched in September 2024, within the stipulated timeframe.
The IFMR examined the ECSL’s mandate, internal processes, staffing, recruitment, logistics and organizational structure. He continued that the objective was to develop a set of actionable reforms to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in future electoral processes.
The report also addressed parliamentary representation discrepancies raised by the APC, recommending the establishment of a Legal Review Committee to examine constitutional questions and ensure equitable representation in Parliament. Dr. Emmanuel Gaima confirmed that work on this legal review is progressing under the supervision of the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
He added how President Bio has officially adopted the full Tripartite Committee report noting that the report will next be presented to the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC), with Parliament expected to provide oversight during the implementation phase.
The ongoing electoral reform process, rooted in domestic consensus and bolstered by international cooperation, marks a significant step toward strengthening democratic governance in Sierra Leone, Dr. Emmanuel Gaima concluded.
