Deputy Parliamentary Spokesman Alpha Ben Mansaray has called on the government to reduce the cost of national identity cards to NLe 50, urging authorities to implement a Tripartite Committee recommendation aimed at making national identification more accessible.
In a statement dated October 15, 2026, Mansaray urged the government to act on Recommendation 15 of the Tripartite Committee Report, which calls for further subsidies to make national identity cards more affordable for Sierra Leoneans.
Mansaray said the current fee could place a financial burden on low-income earners, unemployed people, young people and rural residents, particularly when transportation and other related expenses are included.
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) increased the fee for a standard national identity card from NLe 145 to NLe 165, effective February 23, 2026, under a revised fee structure announced that month.
Mansaray proposed reducing the fee to NLe 50, which would save applicants NLe 115 per card, or about 70% of the current cost. He clarified that the proposed reduction was not an existing government policy and that authorities would need to assess its affordability and funding requirements.
He argued that a lower fee could help more eligible citizens obtain national identification, including those who need the cards for electoral participation.
Recommendation 15 also seeks to reduce the need for the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to spend public funds producing separate voter identification documents. According to Mansaray, the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat’s April 2026 implementation report listed the recommendation as ongoing and identified government subsidies for eligible voters as a next step.
Mansaray called on the government to publish a clear implementation plan, identify the necessary funding and set a realistic timeline for introducing the proposed subsidy.
While acknowledging the costs involved in producing secure identity cards, he said the government should explore a sustainable funding arrangement that balances production expenses with citizens’ ability to pay.
He maintained that financial hardship should not prevent eligible citizens from obtaining national identification, emphasising the importance of accessible identification for public services and democratic participation.
Mansaray urged authorities to move from discussions to concrete action, saying the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations should deliver practical benefits to the people of Sierra Leone.