By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter D.S.
The All People’s Congress (APC) has strongly criticized the government following its decision to postpone the constitutionally mandated 2025 Population and Housing Census to December 2026. Speaking at a press conference on May 16, 2025, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya Esq. described the postponement as a “calculated attempt to manipulate key national processes” and a “dangerous affront to democratic governance.”
Dumbuya emphasized the necessity of conducting the decennial census in December 2026, highlighting the urgent need for credible population data to accurately determine electoral boundaries and facilitate development planning. He raised concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the census process, stating that timelines are slipping and that both the government and Statistics Sierra Leone must provide a realistic, transparent, and funded roadmap for the upcoming census.
The APC has established its own Census Technical Committee to oversee the process and collaborate with Statistics Sierra Leone and other stakeholders. Dumbuya noted that significant preparatory work, including cartographic mapping, enumerator training, and a pilot census, has yet to be conducted, undermining the proposed timeline.
Abdul Karim Kamara, the party’s Publicity Secretary, expressed disappointment over the postponement, questioning the rationale behind the decision. He attributed the delay to conflicting information from officials within Statistics Sierra Leone, which he deemed a disservice to the nation. Dumbuya also referenced the controversies surrounding the 2021 Mid-Term Census, which the APC condemned for lacking credibility and being marred by political interference.
The APC has called on international development partners to remain vigilant, ensuring that their support does not legitimize inefficiency or political manipulation. The party asserts that accurate census data is crucial for national planning and development, warning that any manipulation could hinder the return to a constituency-based electoral system, as recommended by the Tripartite Committee.
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