By Ibrahim Sesay

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) on Thursday, 13th November 2025, held a validation session for its Electoral Inclusion Policy; a milestone initiative aimed at ensuring that all citizens, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), enjoy full and unhindered participation in the country’s democratic processes. The event brought together key stakeholders, including the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

Chairman of the NCPD, Brima Abdulai Sheriff, in his keynote remarks, urged ECSL to go beyond symbolic gestures and create an environment that truly enables PWDs to exercise their franchise freely. He emphasized that accessibility in politics extends beyond physical structures like ramps and braille to include “open minds, inclusive systems and leadership opportunities.”

“Inclusion is not about asking for favors; it is about ensuring justice, equality, and good governance. Policies that exclude PWDs are not merely incomplete but unjust,” Brima Abdulai Sheriff asserted. He further noted that “true inclusion begins when policies see ability before disability and potential before limitation,” adding that “the true measure of a nation’s strength is not how it treats the powerful but how it empowers the excluded.”

He explained that the NCPD operates under its PRIDE Strategy, Policy, Resilience, Inclusion, Innovation, Dignity and Empowerment, to effectively deliver its mandate. Brima Abdulai Sheriff called on ECSL to ensure that the Electoral Inclusion Policy becomes a “living promise” translated into action through accessible voter education, barrier-free polling centers and equitable political representation. He pledged NCPD’s technical support to ECSL and commended International IDEA for its partnership in developing the policy.

ECSL’s Western Region Commissioner, Zainab Humu Moseray, stated that the validation exercise marked a critical step toward making Sierra Leone’s electoral processes more inclusive and equitable. “The purpose of this policy is to promote equal participation, representation and accessibility for all citizens, regardless of disability status,” she said.

Commissioner Zainab Humu Moseray reiterated ECSL’s commitment to guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities for women, youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities. “At ECSL, we believe inclusion is not just a principle; it is a promise; a promise that every voice counts, every vote matters and every citizen deserves an equal opportunity to shape our nation’s future,” she emphasized.

She highlighted that the policy aims to make elections more accessible through voter education in inclusive formats, improved polling station designs and assistive technologies. “Inclusion for PWDs strengthens our democracy and ensures that no one is left behind,” she concluded.

Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, lauded ECSL and International IDEA for spearheading a transformative policy that prioritizes both youth and PWDs. “Young people constitute the largest segment of Sierra Leone’s population and their involvement in our democratic processes is essential and undeniable,” he said.

He acknowledged ongoing frustrations among youth regarding their perceived limited political participation but encouraged continuous dialogue to bridge the gap. “We must open honest and sustained dialogue with young people to shift attitudes away from violence toward peaceful participation,” Ibrahim Sannoh advised.

Drawing an analogy, the Minister urged youths to approach elections like football matches: “If your team doesn’t win, support the winning team and work together for the nation’s development,” he concluded.

The validation of ECSL’s Electoral Inclusion Policy represents a significant stride toward ensuring that every Sierra Leonean, regardless of physical ability, age or gender, has an equal opportunity to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.

​The Calabash Newspaper is Sierra Leone’s leading English‑language news platform—established in 2017 to deliver trusted coverage of politics, culture, health, and more to audiences both at home and abroad.