By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S. Reporter
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone is exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence to strengthen electoral processes ahead of the 2028 general elections, as part of a broader push to modernise election management and boost youth participation.
The disclosure came on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the youth-led Victory Teens Organisation to the ECSL Headquarters on Tower Hill.
Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman Edmond Sylvester Alpha received the delegation and reaffirmed the Commission’s openness to partnerships that support credible and transparent elections.
He disclosed that four ECSL staff had recently completed AI and Elections training in India, as the Commission builds institutional capacity to deploy digital technologies responsibly.
Chairman Alpha said the Commission is positioning itself to leverage AI in areas such as voter education, logistics, data analysis, and public communication.
The ECSL’s strategic vision was also presented internationally last month. In July 2026, ECSL Electoral Officer Marylin N. Dixon addressed the International Capacity Building Course on Artificial Intelligence and Elections in New Delhi.
Dixon outlined how AI tools could improve voter education, optimise election logistics, strengthen data-driven decision-making, and enhance communication between electoral institutions and citizens.
She however cautioned that any AI deployment must remain “human-centred, transparent, and inclusive” to safeguard electoral integrity and public trust.
The Commission has also held talks with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on using AI to enhance voter education and combat misinformation — a growing concern ahead of 2028.
VTO Executive Director Magdalene Lebbie said her organisation is focused on equipping young people with AI skills and competencies, and expressed interest in partnering with ECSL to strengthen electoral education.
The VTO has previously partnered with the Sierra Leone Police to deliver ICT and AI training for officers nationwide.
The engagement underscores ECSL’s commitment to responsible innovation, strategic partnerships, and expanding opportunities for youth in the country’s democratic processes.
The Commission noted that technical support from India’s Election Commission is also helping to modernise electoral administration ahead of the 2028 polls.
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