By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has formally gazetted the All People’s Congress (APC) Internal Elections Rules and Regulations, setting the stage for the party’s lower-level elections and the 2026 National Delegates Conference.
Published in Sierra Leone Gazette No. 67, Vol. CLXVI and in line with Section 25 of the Political Parties Act 2022 (Act No. 25 of 2022), the announcement triggers a 30-day public review period from Wednesday, August 13 to Thursday, September 11, 2025.
During that period, the PPRC will accept objections from APC members and the general public on any aspect of the rules. Submissions can be delivered to the PPRC Head Office at OAU Drive, Tower Hill, Freetown, regional offices in Bo, Kenema, Makeni and Port Loko, or via email at info@pprc.gov.sl or pprcsierraleone@yahoo.com. All objections must reach the Commission before the close of business on September 11, 2025.
The gazetted framework, originally submitted to the PPRC in April 2025, details the structure and procedures for internal elections across various party levels, aiming to ensure transparency, inclusivity and alignment with the APC Constitution. Notable provisions include:
- Ward-Level Elections: Conducted in wards demarcated by the National Electoral Commission under the Public Elections Act No. 4 of 2012. Candidates must be fully paid-up members for at least one year. Positions up for election include Ward Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Women’s Leader, among others.
- Constituency and District Conventions: Over 15 positions will be contested at the constituency level. District conventions will recognize the party’s diaspora membership as a formal “sixth region,” as outlined in Article 31(e) of the APC Constitution adopted on March 7, 2022.
- Special Congresses: The National Women’s Congress will elect 15 officers. Separate conventions will be held for the National Veterans Congress and National Young Congress, with youth eligibility set between 18 and 35 years.
- National Delegates Conference (NDC): Scheduled within 28 days of lower-level elections, the NDC will elect 12 non-executive National Advisory Committee (NAC) members, key executives such as National Chairman, Deputy Chairman, National Secretary-General and National Organizing Secretary, as well as the party’s 2028 presidential candidate. Voting delegates will include representatives from special wings such as the National Young Congress, National Union of APC Students, Women’s Conference, diaspora chapters, former MPs, former councillors and persons with disabilities.
The APC’s election roadmap includes:
- Submission of rules to PPRC: April 28, 2025
- Publication of voter/membership register for ward elections: July 19, 2025
- Ward elections: August 10, 2025
- Constituency conventions (including diaspora): September 4, 2025
- District conventions (including diaspora): September 30, 2025
- Regional conventions (including diaspora “sixth region”): October 24, 2025
- Elections for special wings/groups: October 15, 2025
- Special organs conventions: November 17, 2025
- National Delegates Conference: February 17–19, 2026
According to the APC, the process underscores its commitment to internal democracy, grassroots participation and the inclusion of diaspora members in shaping the party’s future direction ahead of the 2028 national polls.
Copies of the gazetted rules are available at the Government Bookshop on Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown and on the PPRC website (www.pprc.gov.sl).
The PPRC has urged stakeholders to actively engage during the consultation period to strengthen the party’s internal processes and reinforce democratic governance in Sierra Leone’s political landscape.
