Skip to content
Emergency: 119
FAQ →
Office of National Security
Office of National Security
Services

Integrated Elections Security Planning Committee (IESPC)

Framework for the integrated provision and management of election security throughout the electoral cycle in Sierra Leone.

Open framework documentView programme feature
Framework

IESPC overview and mandate

Core framework sections, stakeholders, and operational responsibilities.

Framework and activation

In the build-up to the general elections held in 2012, the National Security Council established an ad-hoc committee designated as the Integrated Elections Security Planning Committee. The framework has been used for previous elections and in the multi-tier elections of 24 June 2023.

The National Security Coordinator, through the National Security Coordinating Group, activates the IESPC after the announcement of the date for general elections. The committee is coordinated by him and its secretariat is serviced by the Planning and Inter-Agency Relations Directorate within the Office of National Security.

Membership and mandate

The IESPC is a multi-sectoral arrangement that brings together relevant election security management stakeholders from both state and non-state institutions.

Its broad mandate is to provide overall coordination for the provision and management of election security throughout the electoral cycle.

  • • Office of National Security
  • • Ministry of Internal Affairs
  • • Sierra Leone Police
  • • ICPNC
  • • Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces
  • • Sierra Leone Correctional Service
  • • National Fire Force
  • • Human Rights Commission
  • • WANEP, UNDP, Irish Aid, and other partners

Core responsibilities

  • • Development of an Integrated Elections Security Strategy
  • • Development of a holistic Communication Strategy
  • • Development of an elections security Training Manual
  • • Mobilisation of resources for the security sector
  • • Representation of the security sector in election security meetings
  • • Development of concept notes on election road mapping
  • • Engagement with EMBs on the election road map
  • • Creation of a safe and secure environment before, during, and after elections

Recent activities

Prior to the 2018 elections, the IESPC undertook nationwide training, an Election Violence and Security ToT course in Accra, multi-agency monitoring visits, and election security exercise testing.

Before the 2023 elections, the committee developed a comprehensive communication strategy, election security strategy, training manual, SOPs, and district risk mapping support.

Key election messages

The IESPC promotes clear election security messages for political parties, youth groups, women, persons with disabilities, observers, and civil society organisations.

  • • Political parties are encouraged to respect campaign periods, promote political tolerance, discourage loitering and alcohol consumption among supporters, use legal procedures to seek redress, accept outcomes in good faith, and respect officials and the electoral process.
  • • Youth groups, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to register during the civil and voter registration process, confirm that their vital statistics are correct, avoid provocative behaviour, cooperate with officials, avoid double voting, and give preference to the elderly, disabled, pregnant, and lactating mothers.
  • • Election observers and civil society groups are encouraged to observe, record, and report; report anomalies promptly and quietly; promote non-violence campaigns; provide relevant information to security personnel; help sensitise the public; remain vigilant and professional; and avoid political colours, emblems, and party activities.