Freetown, 9th July 2026- The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has issued firm directives to the All People’s Congress (APC) Party, ordering the immediate publication of candidates lists for its pending constituency elections and clarifying how unopposed candidates should be treated.
The Commission’s decision, dated 9th July 2026, follows a formal request from Hon. Osman Abdal Timbo, Esq., an APC member, who sought guidance on the handling of uncontested positions in the party’s internal elections. Timbo’s letters, dated 10th June and 3rd July 2026, asked the Commission to intervene and provide practice directions to ensure transparency and consistency.
After hearing both sides — Hon. Timbo and representatives of the APC National Secretariat and Internal Elections Management Committee (IEMC) — the Commission noted that while the APC Constitution (2022) does not explicitly provide for the publication of candidates lists or the treatment of unopposed candidates, such practices are considered essential for transparency and voter awareness.
Citing Section 42(2)(c) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (1991) and Sections 48 and 66(b) of the Public Elections Act (2022), the PPRC directed the APC to take immediate action to align its internal processes with national electoral standards.
Key Directives Issued by the PPRC
- Publication of Candidates Lists: The APC Secretariat, led by the National Secretary General, must compile and publish complete lists of candidates for all pending constituency elections within 72 hours of the directive.
- The publication must be done both electronically and manually, with physical copies displayed at all APC offices nationwide.
- The Secretariat must also provide the same lists to the IEMC on the day of publication.
- Unopposed Candidates Automatically Elected: The IEMC must publish the names of candidates who are the sole nominees for any position. Such candidates will be deemed duly elected without a vote.
- No Elections for Uncontested Positions: The IEMC is instructed not to conduct elections for any position where a candidate stands unopposed.
- Suspension of Elections in Disputed Constituencies: No constituency election should be held in areas where petitions or disputes remain unresolved.
- Advance Publication for Future Elections: For all subsequent lower-level elections, excluding the current constituency polls, the APC Secretariat must publish candidates and delegates lists at least seven days before voting day.
The Commission emphasized that these measures are intended to promote transparency, fairness, and compliance with democratic standards within political parties.
