By Forum staff writer
The Opposition Leader in Parliament, Hon Abdul Kargbo of the All People’s Congress APC, has strongly criticized President Julius Maada Bio over the appointment of Mr Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner, describing the decision as the main trigger for the opposition’s withdrawal from parliamentary and council activities.
Speaking during an interview on AYV Television’s Wake Up Sierra Leone programme, Hon Kargbo said the President should not have appointed anyone who played a prominent role in what he described as the highly controversial 2023 general elections. According to him, those elections were widely condemned both locally and internationally, with sanctions and visa restrictions imposed on individuals accused of undermining democratic processes in Sierra Leone.
“President Bio should not go again to appoint somebody who participated strongly in that very controversial elections, elections that were widely condemned,” Hon Kargbo stated. He argued that such an appointment sends the wrong signal at a time when the country is struggling to rebuild trust in its electoral system and democratic institutions.
Hon Kargbo, who leads the APC caucus in Parliament, made it clear that the party’s decision to boycott Parliament and local councils was not a political strategy aimed at destabilizing governance. Instead, he said it was a principled stand to protect democracy and demand accountability in the electoral reform process.
He emphasized that the situation could have been avoided if President Julius Maada Bio had chosen a different individual to head the Electoral Commission. “If President Julius Maada Bio had appointed any other person rather than Edmond Sylvester Alpha, the APC would not have taken this action,” Hon Kargbo said.
The opposition leader further noted that the disputed election results were not only challenged by the All People’s Congress, but were also questioned by both international and local election observation missions. He said several respected diplomatic missions raised serious concerns about the credibility and transparency of the polls.
According to Hon Kargbo, statements from the United States Embassy, the British High Commission, the French Embassy, and the European Union Delegation highlighted concerns over statistical inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in the electoral process.
He stressed that these observations reinforced the APC’s position that meaningful electoral reforms must be implemented before public confidence can be restored. Hon Kargbo warned that ignoring such concerns risks deepening political mistrust and weakening democratic governance in the country.
The APC lawmaker reiterated that his party remains committed to peaceful and lawful means in pursuing its demands. He said the APC is open to dialogue and national consensus, but insisted that concrete actions must be taken to demonstrate genuine commitment to electoral integrity.
Hon Kargbo concluded by calling on the government to prioritize national stability and democracy by respecting the concerns raised by stakeholders. He said restoring confidence in the electoral system is essential for long term peace and democratic legitimacy in Sierra Leone.
