Op-Ed By Albangus
Three years ago, Episode 1 of Sierra Leone’s electoral drama unfolded when Parliament became the theatre of a nightmare, marking one of the most turbulent episodes in the country’s democratic history. What should have been a legislative debate over the Public Elections Act 2022 and the Constitutional Amendment Act 2022 quickly degenerated into confrontation, walkouts, and deep political mistrust. Opposition MPs reported intimidation and verbal attacks, and one lawmaker even collapsed after being struck during the chaos.
Fast forward to Friday, 27th February 2026, Episode 2 emerged. This time, the controversy was not over Proportional Representation system versus Simple Majority system, but over the appointment of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone. Despite procedural legality, the opposition’s strong objections and threats of parliamentary boycott highlighted that the struggle for institutional credibility and democratic legitimacy continues unabated.
From the foregoing, it is clear that In Sierra Leone, politics has become a do-or-die affair, much like the battles for power in Game of Thrones, where every manoeuvre, alliance, and confrontation can determine who holds power. The world of Westeros, with its shifting alliances, strategic manoeuvres, and sudden crises, mirrors the high-stakes arena of Sierra Leonean politics, where every decision can determine who holds power.
In this perilous landscape, elections are the lifeblood of democracy, shaping how citizens exercise their franchise, choose their leaders, and demand transparency, accountability, and integrity. The Sierra Leone Parliament electoral controversies of 2022 and 2026 demonstrates that these democratic credentials are under constant pressure, and that political victories achieved without broad consensus risk deepening mistrust.
At the heart of the 2022 turmoil was the debate over electoral systems. The government proposed replacing Simple Majority (FM) or First-Past-The-Post (FPTP), abandoned after 2002, with Proportional Representation (PR). Advocates argued PR would give smaller parties a fairer voice; critics warned it weakened the direct link between constituents and their representatives, making MPs more accountable to party hierarchies than to the people who elected them.
The 2023 general elections further exposed these tensions. The APC rejected parts of the results, citing irregularities, and public protests followed. A Tripartite Committee of government, opposition, and Non-State Actors, (who are supposed to safeguard democracy) was formed to restore confidence. While President Julius Maada Bio retained his mandate, opposition mistrust persisted, highlighting the fragility of institutional credibility.
The recent appointment of a new Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) , opposed by the Main Opposition All Peoples Congress, for lack of consultation and transparency underscores this fragility. Despite opposition threats of boycott, the President pressed ahead, and SLPP MPs approved the appointment without minority participation. Legally sound, the process nevertheless risks undermining public confidence in electoral institutions and the integrity of future elections.
Parliamentary boycotts, while symbolic, also limit dialogue. Democracy requires negotiation, compromise, and protection of minority voices. The Tripartite framework offers a mechanism to achieve this, but it depends on genuine engagement from both government and opposition. Without it, procedural victories alone cannot strengthen democracy.
“History will remember not who won the vote, but who protected the integrity of the system.”
Three years after the controversial 2023 elections, four years after the July 2022 parliamentary confrontation, and less than two years from the 2028 general elections, the defining question remains: can political tension be transformed into institutional maturity? Democracy is most severely tested in moments of strain, and it is in these moments that the resilience of institutions, the courage of leaders, and the vigilance of citizens determine whether governance strengthens or falters. Ultimately, history will remember not who won the vote, but who protected the integrity of the system. Leaders and citizens who, even amid partisan tension and electoral controversies, defended accountability, upheld institutional credibility, and prioritized the nation’s democratic health above narrow political gains will define Sierra Leone’s democratic legacy.
As Sierra Leone approaches the 2028 general elections, the lessons of 2022 and 2026 remain urgent. In a political landscape reminiscent of Game of Thrones, where every manoeuvre, alliance, and confrontation can tip the balance of power, it is not the sheer number of votes or parliamentary dominance that will define democracy’s legacy, but the courage of leaders, citizens, and non-state actors to protect the integrity of the system. Civil society groups, independent media, and vigilant citizens serve as the guardians of accountability, ensuring that political victories do not come at the cost of public trust or institutional credibility. Ultimately, history will remember not who held power, but who chose to defend transparency, uphold democratic norms, and prioritize the nation’s long-term democratic health over narrow partisan gains. Sierra Leone’s democracy will thrive only if political tension is transformed into institutional maturity, and if the nation treats every election not as a battlefield, but as the lifeblood of accountable governance.
