Bio Receives ECSL 2025 Annual Report, Urges Early Election Preparations

President Julius Maada Bio has received the 2025 Annual Report of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), urging the Commission to strengthen election preparations through early planning, improved institutional capacity, and effective electoral management.

The report was presented at State House, Freetown, on Thursday, 6 August 2026, by ECSL Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman, Mr Edmond Alpha, in line with the Commission’s constitutional responsibility to account for its programmes, activities, and financial management.

Commissioner Alpha said the report highlights ECSL’s achievements, challenges, and commitment to transparency, accountability, and credible elections. He noted that the Commission made progress in areas including staff capacity building, governance reforms, election observation, accountability systems, and strengthening regional offices.

He also reported that ECSL successfully conducted thirteen Paramount Chieftaincy elections across six districts in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, while highlighting the Commission’s receipt of the ICPS Award for Electoral Conflict Management.

Receiving the report, President Bio commended ECSL for its professionalism, impartiality, and resilience in carrying out its constitutional mandate. He described electoral management as a challenging responsibility and encouraged the Commission to uphold fairness, credibility, and public confidence.

The President urged ECSL to begin election preparations early, emphasising the need for continuous staff development, efficient administration, and timely declaration of results. He reaffirmed his government’s support for strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring credible, peaceful, and transparent elections.

President Bio formally accepted the report and thanked ECSL for its role in safeguarding Sierra Leone’s democratic governance.