APC threatens to boycott governance over appointment of electoral commissioner

The main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has rejected the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone and further threatened to withdraw its elected officials from parliament, local government and all governance structures within 48 hours if the decision is not rescinded.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the APC described Mr. Alpha’s appointment as “a direct assault” on the Agreement for National Unity, saying it risks undermining electoral reforms and could erode an already fragile public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions. Proceeding with the appointment of Edmond Alpha whilst ongoing constitutional amendments are yet to be concluded, it said, would signal an intention to maintain a contested electoral framework rather than rebuild institutional trust.

“Should the appointment not be withdrawn within forty-eight (48) hours of this notice, all APC elected officials are hereby instructed to withdraw their participation and services from Parliament, Local Councils, and all other structures of governance across the Republic of Sierra Leone. The APC reserves its right to pursue further lawful and democratic measures consistent with the Constitution,” the party said.

“This proposed appointment constitutes a direct assault on the Agreement for National Unity, a deliberate circumvention of the binding Tripartite reform process, and a dangerous attempt to re-entrench the very electoral status quo that the nation with the support of the international community agreed must change,” the statement reads.

The opposition first boycotted governance in July 2023 following the conduct of a disputed poll which international observers said lacked “transparency” and statistical consistency. A 3-day dialogue backed by international partners culminated in a national unity agreement, leading to the formation of a Tripartite Committee tasked with recommending electoral reforms to restore legitimacy and stability.

The party further pointed to Recommendation 36 of the Tripartite Committee’s report, which proposes amending Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution to create an independent Search and Nomination Committee responsible for vetting and recommending candidates to serve as electoral commissioners. 

While the relevant Constitutional Amendment Bill has already undergone its first reading in parliament, the APC insists that no appointment should be made until the amendment process is fully completed and enacted into law with the required two-thirds majority.

The statement also raised concerns about Mr. Alpha’s credibility and public posture following the 2023 elections, warning that his appointment through the existing mechanism could deepen mistrust and weaken confidence in future polls.

Despite the sharp tone, the opposition reiterated its commitment to peaceful and lawful action in defence of constitutional governance, electoral integrity, and the sovereign will of the people.

The government has not yet issued an official response, but observers say this could set the stage for a major political confrontation over the leadership of the electoral body and the future of the country’s reform process.