By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D.S.
The All People’s Congress (APC) has warned of a nationwide peaceful protest and a withdrawal of its elected officials from governance if Edmond Sylvester Alpha remains Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).
At a press briefing at party headquarters on March 18, 2026, APC Secretary-General Lansana Dumbuya said the party would withhold participation in governance including actions by APC Members of Parliament, councillors and mayors until Mr. Alpha is removed. “We will not lend legitimacy to a broken system,” Dumbuya said, while adding that the party remains open to good-faith dialogue.
Mr. Alpha’s appointment was announced by the Office of the President on February 20, 2026. The notice stated that 14 registered political parties were notified of the nomination on February 10 and that 12 parties submitted letters of approval. Mr. Alpha was sworn in on March 3, 2026, after parliamentary scrutiny and approval, the presidency said. The appointment was made under Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution.
The APC contends the appointment violates the Agreement for National Unity brokered in October 2023, which established a Tripartite Committee to recommend electoral reforms following the contested 2023 elections. The party pointed specifically to Recommendation 36 of the committee, which proposes amending Section 32(3) to establish an independent Search and Nomination Committee to vet candidates for Chief Electoral Commissioner. The APC insists no such appointment should proceed until the recommended reform is enacted.
The party has also questioned Mr. Alpha’s impartiality, citing his involvement in the 2023 electoral process and what it describes as a “contested electoral authority.” The APC said it will give authorities a deadline to act before mobilising the planned nationwide demonstration.
The presidency and the ECSL have not publicly responded to the APC’s latest threats.
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