Freetown, Sierra Leone — The national lawyers’ association has asked President Julius Maada Bio to suspend the proposed appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner, saying the move could undercut ongoing constitutional talks, according to local reports.
A letter dated 10 February from the Office of the President circulated to registered political parties to gauge their views on Alpha, triggering the warning. While the outreach follows the consultation rule set out in Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution, the Lawyers’ Society contends that formal compliance does not resolve questions about sequencing and openness.
The group noted in a statement that both the Constitutional Review Committee report and the post — election Tripartite Agreement for National Unity call for a Search and Nomination Committee to present a short-list of names to the president before any appointment is made. Acting ahead of those steps, the society said “may compromise the integrity of the reform process. ” The lawyers also cited recommendations urging an external functional review of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone before new leadership is installed.
Appointing a commissioner prior to such a review, they warned, risks prolonging accountability gaps observed during the 2023 polls. Officials have not yet commented on the society’s request. Parliament has not announced when, or whether, it will take up the nomination.
Further details are expected.
