By Ragan M Conteh

Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, has firmly rejected the nomination of Alex Pat Labib Saffa as Electoral Commissioner for the Eastern Region, citing a clear violation of constitutional requirements.

The party has promised legal action against the appointment, referred it as violation of the 1991 constitution.

During the parliamentary vetting process, Hon. Kargbo walked out in protest, arguing that the nominee’s previous public service conflicts with the political neutrality demanded of the position.

The appointment was announced by State House as part of President Bio’s latest nominees, but the opposition’s response has raised serious questions about the independence of the Electoral Commission. Hon. Kargbo insists that such roles must be free from political influence to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.

Sierra Leone’s Constitution requires parliamentary approval for presidential nominees, especially for key offices like the Electoral Commission, which plays a critical role in overseeing fair elections. The opposition’s rejection highlights concerns over whether these appointments respect constitutional checks and balances or serve partisan interests.

No official statement has yet been released from State House or the Electoral Commission regarding the dispute. Political observers warn that continued disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties could weaken trust in upcoming elections, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and constitutional adherence in future appointments.