By Isatu Bai Kamara
Member of Parliament for Port Loko District, Hon. Aminata Sesay, has been appointed to serve on the newly established Adhoc Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), a body tasked with enhancing parliamentary oversight of the country’s electoral management.
The appointment was announced by the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, during a parliamentary sitting as part of efforts to implement Recommendation 20 of the Tripartite Committee Report.
The recommendation calls for the creation of an independent parliamentary committee to oversee the work of the ECSL and promote credible, free, and fair elections in Sierra Leone.
Hon. Aminata Sesay’s inclusion on the committee has been widely viewed as recognition of her strong parliamentary performance, effective representation of her constituents, and reputation as an articulate and principled legislator. She is regarded as one of Parliament’s most persuasive debaters, often addressing national issues with objectivity and a focus on democratic governance.
Speaking during plenary, Speaker Thomas emphasized Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to protect the integrity of Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions. He said the committee would play a vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
“The people of Sierra Leone deserve an electoral process that is transparent, inclusive and trusted by all,” the Speaker stated, adding that the committee would monitor the operations of the ECSL to ensure compliance with the law and responsiveness to public concerns.
The committee will be chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, while the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma, will serve as Deputy Chairman. The bipartisan leadership is expected to promote cooperation across political lines in addressing electoral governance issues.
Membership of the committee includes representatives from both the Government and Opposition benches, reflecting Parliament’s commitment to balanced oversight and inclusive decision-making.
The formation of the Adhoc Parliamentary Oversight Committee has received positive reactions from civil society organizations and development partners, who view it as a significant milestone in implementing the Tripartite Committee recommendations and rebuilding public confidence in Sierra Leone’s electoral process.
The committee is expected to submit regular reports to Parliament on the Electoral Commission’s activities, including election preparedness, budget implementation, and engagement with political parties and other key stakeholders.