The political temperature in Sierra Leone has begun to rise once again as the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) accuses the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) of plotting to manipulate the country’s democratic system through controversial electoral and administrative reforms. The APC has expressed strong disapproval of the government’s plans to institutionalize the proportional representation (PR) voting system, introduce an executive power-sharing arrangement, and create new districts without what it calls “constitutional legitimacy or public consent.”
According to the APC, the moves represent a calculated attempt by the ruling party to entrench itself in power and erode Sierra Leone’s fragile democratic institutions. The statement, issued by the APC’s National Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya Esq., warned that the proposed reforms could plunge the country into a new wave of political instability and public distrust. “We are witnessing the deliberate erosion of democratic principles through schemes disguised as reforms,” Dumbuya asserted. “The ruling party’s actions are reminiscent of political manipulation that has doomed other nations into chaos and authoritarianism.”
At the heart of the APC’s opposition lies the proposed re-adoption of the proportional representation system for upcoming elections. The party argues that the 1991 Constitution enshrines the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system as the default electoral model, allowing PR only in exceptional circumstances—such as when constituency boundaries cannot be reasonably determined or in times of national emergency. “There is no crisis in Sierra Leone today that warrants the imposition of a PR system,” Dumbuya emphasized. “This attempt to make PR the permanent method of election is unconstitutional and will be resisted by all legal and democratic means.”
The APC also accused the SLPP of disregarding the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, a multi-party forum created to address grievances following the disputed 2023 general elections. That process, according to the APC, yielded a clear public demand to revert to the FPTP system to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and voter representation. “The people spoke through that dialogue,” said Dumbuya. “To ignore their will is not only undemocratic—it is a betrayal of public trust.”
Adding to the controversy is the SLPP’s proposal for a new “executive power-sharing” arrangement, which the APC views as an attempt to centralize control rather than promote inclusivity. “This is not a sincere initiative for national unity,” Dumbuya noted. “It is a veiled strategy to institutionalize a one-party state under the guise of political stability.” The APC likened the plan to failed power-sharing experiments in parts of Africa, particularly Kenya and Zimbabwe, which resulted in political crises and violence rather than unity.
The opposition party further denounced the government’s alleged intentions to redraw district boundaries and create new administrative regions without public consultation or parliamentary debate. The APC insists that such decisions must be guided by demographic studies, fiscal feasibility, and community input—not by political convenience. “We reject any attempt to gerrymander administrative regions for electoral gain,” Dumbuya stated, warning that communities across Sierra Leone are already voicing discontent over what they see as opaque and self-serving government actions.
While the APC reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful engagement, it pledged to mobilize nationwide resistance against what it describes as “the systematic dismantling of democracy.” The party has urged civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and citizens to remain alert and resist reforms that compromise the spirit of constitutional governance. “Our democracy is not for sale or negotiation—it belongs to the people,” Dumbuya concluded.
As both political parties prepare for another round of confrontation over electoral reforms, Sierra Leone finds itself at a delicate crossroads. The debate surrounding proportional representation, district creation, and executive restructuring has once again exposed deep divisions in the nation’s political fabric. With public confidence in electoral institutions still recovering from the controversies of 2023, observers warn that how the government and opposition handle this latest dispute will shape the credibility of Sierra Leone’s democratic future for years to come.
