2028 AI Election Debate: Innovation vs. Integrity
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) is actively exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the country's upcoming 2028 general elections. This potential technological shift has ignited a national debate among political leaders, civil society, and government representatives regarding the balance between electoral innovation and democratic integrity.
In preparation for the 2028 polls, the ECSL has already begun building technical capacity. Four staff members recently completed specialized "AI and Elections" training in India to strengthen the commission's handling of emerging digital technologies.
The Commission has identified several key areas where AI could optimize the electoral process, including:
Logistics and Decision-Making: Enhancing election logistics and data-driven administrative decisions.
Voter Education: Strengthening communication channels with citizens and combating misinformation and disinformation.
Youth Engagement: Partnering with the youth-led Victory Teens Organisation to explore innovative ways to boost youth participation.
Despite these proactive steps, the ECSL emphasizes that any eventual deployment will remain human-centered, transparent, and inclusive to safeguard public trust.
The prospect of introducing AI has met with swift resistance from opposition and civil society leaders.
Speaking on ECKO Media, senior All People’s Congress (APC) member Minkailu Payamba Koroma warned of serious risks. Koroma argued that because ECSL does not design these proprietary AI tools, it cannot fully control or mitigate their associated vulnerabilities. He questioned the timing of the initiative while existing election-related legal disputes remain unresolved in court.
"AI is not something we want to use in this elections," Koroma stated, urging the country to stick strictly to the census and established constitutional laws until democratic institutions and public understanding of the technology mature. He also alledged the Chief Minister's advocacy for the technology with suspicion, calling for extreme caution to prevent further electoral conflict.
Civil society representatives have expressed similar objections. Ambassador Mohamed Lamin Sheriff, National Secretary General of the National Union of Civil Society Sierra Leone, flatly rejected the proposal, citing a lack of legal grounding.
"We as civil society in this country, we don't accept it," Sheriff said, noting that Artificial Intelligence is not recognized in the 1991 Constitution.
Sheriff argued that given Sierra Leone's population and existing structures, there is no clear necessity for AI. He strongly criticized the ECSL for initiating the exploration without first consulting political parties, civil society organizations, and the general public.
Offering a more moderate perspective, Imran Sillah, Director of Media and Outreach at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Public Service, urged stakeholders not to dismiss technological progress.
Also speaking on ECKO Media, Sillah noted that he had not heard the Chief Minister specifically address AI in elections, but defended the technology as a neutral, versatile tool. Silla argued that ensuring the ECSL remains responsive and transparent requires adapting to technological developments rather than simply repeating legacy practices.
"In principle, I don't think AI is a tool that's destructive," Sillah observed.
However, he agreed that a complete understanding of its practical application is vital, calling for robust, transparent engagement with political parties and civil society to clarify ECSL’s exact intentions and safeguards.
As the ECSL’s AI initiative remains in its early exploratory phases, the growing national debate highlights a critical crossroad. The success or failure of introducing AI to Sierra Leone’s elections will depend heavily on establishing clear legal frameworks, conducting extensive stakeholder consultations, and securing broad public confidence in the integrity of the process.
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