By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, Daily Scope
The All People’s Congress (APC), Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, has categorically rejected recent proposals by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) to expand the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, introduce executive power-sharing, and create new districts without adhering to proper legal processes.
In a press statement released Wednesday, the APC criticized these moves as a “blatant subversion of democracy and the Constitution,” warning that they could potentially lead to a de facto one-party state in the country.
The APC emphasized that the 1991 Constitution explicitly favors the constituency-based First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system, allowing the PR system only in exceptional circumstances such as a national crisis or when constituencies are improperly defined. The party asserted that Sierra Leone is not facing such a crisis, thereby deeming any attempt to replace the FPTP system with PR unconstitutional.
The statement also expressed skepticism regarding the timing of the government’s proposals, particularly in light of the findings from a nationwide consultation conducted under Resolution 78 of the Tripartite Committee. According to the APC, despite alleged government interference, the majority of citizens clearly favored the FPTP system.
Additionally, the opposition party criticized the proposal for executive power-sharing, labeling it as a strategy to solidify the government’s grip on power rather than a genuine initiative for national unity. The APC referenced Kenya’s political history, warning that similar experiments have often led to crises and violence.
Regarding the creation of new districts, the APC accused the government of acting without transparency, legal justification, or public consultation. The party insisted that such administrative changes should be grounded in demographic data and community input, not political maneuvering.
The APC urged the SLPP to prioritize the implementation of the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations, which it described as the agreed framework for ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in the country.
“We condemn the proposed unconstitutional restructuring of our democratic system,” the statement declared. “We will mobilize all lawful and peaceful means to resist these undemocratic initiatives and stand united with the people of Sierra Leone in defending our Constitution and democracy.”
The party also called on civil society, religious leaders, and the international community to pay attention to these “dangerous developments” and to demand that the government respect the will of the people.
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