President Julius Maada Bio has officially received a key report on the operations and structure of Sierra Leone’s Electoral Commission, outlining significant reforms to improve transparency and strengthen democratic processes ahead of future elections.
The Independent Management and Functional Review of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and other Election Management Bodies was conducted by the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). The report includes 85 targeted recommendations to enhance institutional efficiency and credibility.
In his remarks, President Bio emphasized that addressing electoral challenges requires collective responsibility, drawing on his own history of initiating peace talks during Sierra Leone’s civil war.
He cited recent reforms under his administration – including the abolition of the death penalty, the repeal of restrictive media laws, and legal strides toward gender equality – as part of a broader effort to respond to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Sierra Leonean Head of State thanked the wide spectrum of stakeholders who contributed to the review, including civil society organizations, media professionals, traditional leaders, youth and women’s groups, and opposition voices.
He praised the ECSL for its service in difficult circumstances and acknowledged the complexity of organizing elections in Sierra Leone. The President extended appreciation to development partners, including the United Nations and European Union, and called for full implementation of the reform report to ensure lasting progress.
