Sierra Leone’s APC Party Accuses Electoral Regulator of Bias in Dispute Over Alleged Violation
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Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), has formally challenged the country’s political regulator over what it describes as selective enforcement and partiality in a recent investigation, escalating tensions in the nation’s fragile political landscape.
In a strongly worded letter to the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) dated 18th November 2025, the APC disputed allegations that one of its district chairmen violated Section 39(1) of the Political Parties Act of 2022. The party’s national secretary-general, Lansana Dumbuya Esq., asserted that the APC has not been presented with any verified or authenticated evidence of a violation.
The confrontation comes at a sensitive moment in Sierra Leone’s democracy, following the signing of a Joint Agreement for National Unity on 11th November 2025 between major political actors. This agreement was intended to reduce political friction and promote stability in the West African nation.
Allegations of Doctored Evidence and Selective Enforcement
The APC expressed serious concern about what it termed a “recent surge in doctored audio recordings, misrepresented conversations and manipulated social media artefacts” designed to inflame political tensions. Against this backdrop, the party urged the PPRC to exercise the “highest degree of scrutiny” before initiating any regulatory actions.
More significantly, the opposition party accused the commission of applying double standards, noting that “similar or even more alarming public statements made by prominent members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP)” have not attracted equal urgency or sanctions. This selective enforcement, the APC argued, creates a “perception of partiality inconsistent with the Commission’s statutory mandate.”
Formal Demands for Transparency
In the interest of transparency and due process, the APC has formally requested that the PPRC provide the party with “full, unedited and verifiable evidence, including metadata” upon which the allegation against Hon. Lahai Marah is based. The party further demanded that no fines or sanctions be imposed until such evidence is shared, authenticated, and the accused is given proper opportunity to respond.
The letter emphasized that the PPRC must function as a “neutral referee” in Sierra Leone’s multiparty democratic system, stating that “an umpire must not be seen to lean toward any political actor.” The commission’s legitimacy, according to the APC, rests on its ability to demonstrate “fairness, balance and even-handedness.”
Broader Political Context
This dispute occurs against the backdrop of ongoing political tensions in Sierra Leone, where the PPRC plays a crucial role in regulating political conduct and ensuring compliance with democratic norms. The Political Parties Act of 2022 was designed to create a framework for ethical political engagement and prevent inflammatory rhetoric that could threaten the country’s hard-won peace.
While reaffirming its commitment to the recent Joint Agreement, the APC stressed that “all stakeholders must uphold the same standards of fairness and restraint.” The party assured that upon receipt of genuine and verified information, it would activate its internal disciplinary mechanisms in accordance with its constitution.
The outcome of this confrontation could have significant implications for political trust and institutional credibility in Sierra Leone, testing the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions and their ability to mediate political disputes impartially.
Source: https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/apc-warns-against-partiality-insists-on-fairness-in-pprc-regulatory-actions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=apc-warns-against-partiality-insists-on-fairness-in-pprc-regulatory-actions