President Bio Confident in Edmond Alpha to Lead ECSL, Says Minister Bah

President Bio Confident in Edmond Alpha to Lead ECSL, Says Minister Bah

Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, said President Julius Maada Bio is confident that Edmond Alpha is qualified, credible, and capable of leading the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).

Speaking on AYV, Bah explained that the President carefully considered all factors before making the appointment and believes Alpha possesses the credibility, temperament, and necessary qualifications to fulfill the role.

 “The President considered all factors before making his decision. He believes that Edmond Alpha has the credibility, temperament, and the prerequisite qualifications to fulfil the role,” Bah said.

Bah also addressed criticism from opposition parties, who walked out of consultations regarding the appointment. He noted that they had the opportunity to present evidence or voice disagreement publicly in Parliament but chose not to, which he described as undermining democratic practice.

 “They should have presented their evidence publicly in the well of Parliament for proper scrutiny of the candidate, but instead, they refused and chose to walk out,” he added.

Minister Bah further asserted that the government has maintained consistency in implementing the Agreement for National Unity, citing specific actions taken by President Bio to implement recommendations from prior consultations. These measures, according to Bah, underscore the administration’s dedication to transparency and strict adherence to constitutional procedures.

These statements occur amidst sustained debate regarding the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) appointment, particularly given opposition concerns over the selection process. Conversely, the government affirmed that Edmond Alpha is highly qualified to lead the commission and that the consultation process was conducted in accordance with established procedure.