Lawyers Demand Reversal of Rushed Alpha Electoral Appointment

Lawyers Demand Reversal of Rushed Alpha Electoral Appointment

The Lawyers’ Society has issued a strong condemnation of the appointment of Edmond Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner, calling for its immediate rescission. The society characterized the appointment process as unduly rushed and lacking adequate consultation, asserting that it fundamentally compromises democratic principles and risks eroding public trust in the integrity of forthcoming elections.

In a formal statement released on 21 February 2026, the society underscored the imperative for transparency and adherence to established procedures in appointments to pivotal democratic institutions. They formally petitioned the Tripartite stakeholders, recognized as the moral guarantors of the Agreement for National Unity, to intervene with the Office of the Presidency to secure the reversal of the appointment.

Furthermore, the Lawyers’ Society urged Parliament to withhold its approval of Alpha’s appointment. They emphasized that rigorous adherence to the proposed new procedural guidelines for both the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) is indispensable for safeguarding the robustness of the electoral framework.

The society maintains that a robust democracy cannot be founded upon procedural irregularity, necessitating that public authority be exercised in a consultative and fully transparent manner. They cautioned that failure to implement stakeholder recommendations jeopardizes the perceived legitimacy of the 2028 elections.

The statement highlights a deepening apprehension among legal professionals and stakeholders that the expeditious nature of Alpha's appointment could potentially undermine public confidence in the ECSL, reinforcing the critical need for proper procedural compliance to ensure the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.