Thomas Dixon Urges ECSL Boss to Back 2028 Election Assurances With Action
Journalist and social commentator Thomas Dixon has welcomed Chief Electoral Commissioner Edmond Sylvester Alpha’s assurance that the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) is prepared to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2028, but stressed that the commitment must be supported by concrete action.
Alpha recently gave the assurance while speaking on Unimak Live, where he told people in the Northern Region that he was ready to oversee free, fair and credible elections in 2028.
Speaking on Liberty Online TV, Dixon said Alpha should have made such assurances immediately after his appointment as Chief Electoral Commissioner, rather than celebrating his appointment by dancing to the popular song “Tin Don Bee,” which translates to “something has happened.”
Reports at the time showed Alpha dancing after Parliament approved his appointment in February 2026.
Dixon said Alpha’s appointment came at a time when concerns already existed over Sierra Leone’s electoral credibility, adding that such concerns extended beyond the country.
“Because there’s already this perception not only by Sierra Leoneans, even the international community,” Dixon said.
He also criticised the conduct of the 2023 elections, alleging that those responsible for managing the process performed poorly. Dixon further claimed that Sierra Leone is now mentioned in discussions about alleged electoral irregularities in West Africa.
“And Edmond Alpha was a member of the Electoral Commission,” he added.
According to Dixon, Alpha should have used his appointment as an opportunity to immediately reassure ECSL staff and the public that he would approach the electoral process with integrity and professionalism.
He, however, described Alpha’s latest assurance as a positive development.
“But now we have seen he has taken a U-turn,” Dixon said, adding that Alpha’s commitment to ensuring that the 2028 elections are free and credible was a welcome statement.
Dixon stressed that assurances alone would not be sufficient and called for concrete measures to demonstrate the Commission’s commitment.
“Apart from statements, it should be backed up with credible actions,” he said.
The ECSL has said it remains committed to strengthening and improving Sierra Leone’s electoral process while engaging political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders ahead of the 2028 elections.
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