President Julius Maada Bio has extended the deadline for the Independent Cross-Party Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies Review to present their report.
The extension was announced during a formal ceremony where the Government of Sierra Leone and the All Peoples Congress (APC) issued a joint statement.
President Bio expressed deep gratitude to committee members, international partners, and moral guarantors involved in this process, emphasizing Sierra Leone’s democratic maturation. “Democracy is a process that evolves over time,” he noted, commending the collaborative efforts of the government and committee in advancing the nation’s democratic journey. He acknowledged the critical roles of the main political parties, development partners, and the Ambassadors of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union. “This is not the final day; there is still work to be done,” he stated, urging the committee to deliver a comprehensive report.
The President also addressed the contentious issues tackled by the committee, expressing optimism for their resolution. He reaffirmed his commitment to reforming the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) to address concerns from all parties and prevent future disputes. “My legacy will be to reform the ECSL,” he asserted.
Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, representing the APC, acknowledged President Bio’s leadership in enhancing electoral systems. He praised the initiative for prioritizing national unity and fostering a robust democracy, viewing it as essential for Sierra Leone’s political stability and economic development. “We are one family, irrespective of our origins,” he declared.
Supporting the initiative, ECOWAS-AU-UNOWAS Mission lead and former Vice President of The Gambia, Her Excellency Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, applauded Sierra Leone’s democratic progress. She stressed the importance of dialogue and urged all parties to transcend political, regional, and tribal differences for national development.
