A senior Sierra Leonean lawyer has criticized the decision by the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) to congratulate Edmond Alpha following his nomination as Chief Electoral Commissioner, saying the move was premature while the constitutional approval process remains incomplete.
Basita Michael said that under Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution, a presidential nominee for the position must first be approved by Parliament of Sierra Leone before the appointment can take legal effect.
“It is concerning to see congratulatory messages for an appointment that, by the clear terms of Section 32(3) of the Constitution, remains subject to parliamentary approval,” she said, warning that early endorsements risk creating the impression that the outcome of the parliamentary process is already decided.
Michael said that, in legal terms, Alpha remains a nominee until Parliament votes on the nomination. Referring to him as Chief Electoral Commissioner before that stage, she said, could suggest that constitutional safeguards are being treated as procedural formalities rather than binding requirements.
She warned that such perceptions could weaken public confidence in the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, particularly as the country prepares for general elections scheduled for 2028.
The Bar Association had earlier said it followed consultations involving political parties, noting that a majority supported Alpha’s nomination, and urged the nominee to carry out his duties impartially if confirmed by Parliament.
The nomination has also drawn criticism from the country’s main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), which has objected to the process, citing concerns about the level of consensus among key stakeholders and warning that the move could affect confidence in electoral reforms.
Separately, the Lawyers’ Society, a parallel legal body, has called for the nomination to be reversed, describing the process as hasty and inconsistent with the spirit of electoral reform efforts. In a statement dated 21 February 2026, the group said proceeding despite objections from some stakeholders risked undermining trust in future elections.
The Lawyers’ Society also called on Parliament to withhold approval pending further consultations, arguing that appointments to key democratic institutions should be carried out transparently and with broad stakeholder engagement.
Under Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, the President nominates the Chief Electoral Commissioner, but the appointment only becomes effective after parliamentary approval. Parliament has not yet voted on Alpha’s nomination.
The issue has sparked debate among political and legal actors, with attention now focused on whether Parliament will approve the nomination and complete the constitutional process.
