Sierra Leone
The 2023 election results, announced by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), further polarized the already divided country and threatened to derail democratic gains made over the past two decades. An internationally mediated dialogue subsequently reached an agreement that established a framework for an inclusive reform process in November 2023. Within this framework, a Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies Review was established and opposition members officially returned to governance processes. The cross-party Committee, with representatives from the government, opposition, and civil society, oversaw the review of the electoral framework of Sierra Leone and generated eighty (80) wide-ranging recommendations for reforms.
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) work in Sierra Leone extends back to 1991. Under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Promoting Inclusive Elections in Sierra Leone program (2011-2013), IFES provided technical assistance to the ECSL as well as technical and material support to the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC). Through this support, the PPRC successfully revitalized the 14 District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committees (DCMCs), community-based organizations that proved effective in identifying, mitigating and mediating local electoral conflicts and disputes. IFES also supported the ECSL and civil society organizations (CSOs) to share civic and voter education messaging related to the introduction of biometric voter registration, participation of women, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups, along with the importance of non-violent participation in electoral processes. Through media, forums, and debates, CSO-led campaigns reached an estimated 3 million people. Under USAID's Sierra Leone Elections Dialogue Series program (2017-2018), IFES supported the ECSL with the design and production of radio jingles around electoral offenses, voting steps, and voter apathy during the 2018 general elections.
Currently, IFES is contributing to Sierra Leone's electoral reform process after the disputed 2023 general elections. Under USAID's Ensuring Locally-led Elections are Credible and Transparent (ELECT) program, IFES is partnering with government institutions to see through reforms recommended by the Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies Review. IFES is leveraging its world-renowned methodologies and technical expertise to drive locally owned, impactful, and practicable legal and institutional reform initiatives in close collaboration with national stakeholders.