By Mahamood Fofana
The Bombali District Human Rights Committee (BDHRC) has strongly criticized the actions of the Northeast Regional Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Max Kanu, following an incident during the Bombali Shebora Chiefdom Paramount Chieftaincy election held on April 11, 2026, in Makeni.
In a press statement dated April 13, 2026, BDHRC alleged that Kanu ordered the removal of an observer from National Elections Watch (NEW), describing the move as troubling and potentially damaging to the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. The Committee stated that the observer had reportedly received verbal clearance through the Senior District Officer (SDO) to participate in monitoring the election.
According to BDHRC, excluding an independent and reputable observer body such as NEW undermines public trust and raises concerns about the integrity of the process. The group called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident, stressing the importance of upholding democratic standards in Sierra Leone.
Responding to the allegations, Christopher A.A. Jones, Assistant Director of Media and Communication at ECSL, maintained that all election observers must undergo formal accreditation. He explained that the individual in question failed to meet the necessary requirements, which led to their removal from the polling environment.
However, civil society activist Emilia Kamara Jengo challenged this explanation, suggesting that the decision may not have been solely procedural. She alleged that underlying tensions between NEW and ECSL management could have influenced the action, claiming that the regional office had indicated NEW would not be permitted to observe elections until unresolved issues with the Commission were addressed.
The incident has since triggered broader debate among civil society organizations and electoral stakeholders, with increasing calls for transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to established electoral procedures to maintain public confidence in Sierra Leone’s democratic processes.
