AYV News, February 23, 2026
The All People’s Congress (APC) has concluded its long-awaited lower-level internal elections across the country, in what many observers describe as both a test of party cohesion and a critical step toward structural reform.
Held on Saturday, February 21, the exercise filled 4,014 positions in 446 wards spanning Sierra Leone’s 17 administrative districts. While the Internal Elections Management Committee (IEMC) characterized the process as generally peaceful, it acknowledged logistical setbacks and isolated incidents that underscored the challenges facing the main opposition party.
Voting was conducted by secret ballot, with open counting at polling stations to enhance transparency. Trained officials were deployed nationwide, and polls commenced between 9:00 a.m. and noon in most centers. The IEMC emphasized that only certified results issued by the committee should be regarded as official, urging members to disregard circulating social media tallies.
Despite the orderly conduct in many areas, the elections were not without controversy. Logistical constraints in remote districts led to minor delays, while in Aberdeen, Constituency 131 in Freetown’s Western Area, voting was reportedly suspended following incidents of unrest, according to local reports. The IEMC has assured party members that all complaints will be addressed through established internal dispute resolution channels, with reruns scheduled where necessary.
The ward elections come against the backdrop of internal disagreements and organizational strain within the APC. Originally postponed, the new date was announced on February 14 following consultations between party leadership and the IEMC. While officials cited logistical preparation and personnel training as reasons for the delay, the decision drew criticism from some senior figures.
Notably, party stalwart Alfred Peter Conteh publicly questioned the leadership’s preparedness and legitimacy, reflecting underlying tensions and financial constraints within the party. Acting National Chairman Amb. Osman Foday Yansaneh defended the postponement, insisting that a credible and well-organized process was paramount.
For many within the APC, the elections symbolize more than routine internal voting—they represent a continuation of reforms aimed at institutionalizing internal democracy. Presidential aspirant Abdul Karim Timbo linked the exercise to a landmark 2002 Supreme Court ruling delivered by his late father, former Chief Justice Dr. Abdulai Timbo, which mandated democratic selection processes within political parties. The ruling, later entrenched in the APC’s 2022 constitutional reforms, replaced appointment-based systems with grassroots elections.
The APC, which governed Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018 under former President Ernest Bai Koroma, has remained in opposition following electoral defeats in 2018 and 2023 to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). After initially boycotting Parliament over post-election disputes in 2023, the party returned to legislative participation later that year following mediation efforts.
Political analysts suggest the ward-level elections are a foundational step in repositioning the APC ahead of the 2028 general elections. By rebuilding its grassroots structures and resolving internal disputes, the party aims to project unity and readiness for future national contests.
The IEMC expressed appreciation to party stakeholders, the Sierra Leone Police, and media institutions for their support throughout the exercise.
Final certified results are expected in the coming days as the APC prepares for the next phase of its internal electoral calendar.
