Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) has completed a comprehensive Management and Functional Review, which was formally presented to the Chief Minister during a recent Steering Committee meeting.
The review contains 83 recommendations aimed at improving the management and operations of the ECSL, with a notable proposal to reduce the number of directorates from fifteen to ten and to have some commissioners operate from regional offices.
Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction with the meeting’s turnout, stating, “We are gathered here to assess the extent of work of the Tripartite Secretariat, to examine the implementation of the tripartite recommendations, and to list the next steps in our approach to build necessary structures to carry our governance infrastructure and strengthen our democracy.”
He stressed on the commitment of the ECSL to serve the people of Sierra Leone and the importance of inclusivity in national discussions.
The meeting, held at the Foreign Affairs Academy auditorium, included participation from development partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, providing them with firsthand information on the implementation of tripartite recommendations.
Dr. David Sengeh, Chairman of the committee, highlighted the importance of bipartisan supervision in guiding the actions of agencies involved in the tripartite process.
Ngolo Katta, Coordinator of the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (TSCS), reported that he has engaged with thirty-five stakeholders, including the Attorney-General, ECSL, and various political parties.
He noted that the TSCS is well-positioned to initiate public engagements aimed at bringing the tripartite process closer to communities across the country. Those efforts will include informing the public about the ongoing reviews of several institutions, including the ECSL.
Attorney-General Alpha Sesay addressed the progress in drafting new legislation related to elections and governance, indicating that consultations with stakeholders are set to begin soon. He reassured participants that all proposed constitutional changes would not require a referendum, streamlining the legislative process. After consultations, the drafted laws will be submitted to Cabinet for review before being presented to Parliament for approval.
Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education, underscored the necessity of keeping the public informed about ongoing reforms. He announced plans for a presidential civic town hall meeting in Kenema by July, where the President will be the guest of honor. The event aims to combat misinformation and promote transparency regarding the tripartite process.
The meeting concluded with institutional representatives addressing various concerns, followed by the formal presentation of the report to the Chairman for launching.
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