FREETOWN — The All People’s Congress (APC) Independent Election Complaints Board has halted all its activities with immediate effect following a High Court interim injunction.
In a public notice dated 28 August 2026, the Board stated that the decision stems from an order delivered the previous day by Hon. Mr. Justice A. Fisher. As a result, all scheduled hearings on ward rerun election petitions have been cancelled, including those fixed for Saturday 29 August 2026. The Board said the sessions will remain suspended until further notice.
The freeze covers the Board’s entire operations and affects petitioners as well as the wider party membership. Officials expressed regret to members who had already arranged travel to Freetown for the hearings and promised to issue fresh directives once the situation becomes clearer.
Court Order and Leadership Dispute
The injunction restrains Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh and Lansana Dumbuya from presenting themselves as APC National Chairman and Leader and National Secretary General respectively. It also bars them from convening executive meetings or carrying out any functions connected to the day-to-day management of the party.
The order remains in force pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application. The matter has been adjourned to 31 August 2026 for an inter partes hearing.
Court documents show that the executives’ three-year mandate expired on 13 February 2026. It was later extended by six months by the Political Parties Regulation Commission. The plaintiffs contend that the extension was unlawful.
The Court has warned that any breach of the injunction could attract contempt proceedings, which may include imprisonment, fines or seizure of assets.
Broader Electoral Questions
The Board’s suspension adds to growing uncertainty around the electoral timetable. SLPP Publicity Secretary Moses Mambu has indicated that forthcoming elections may not take place as planned, citing continuing legal and procedural obstacles.
Earlier, the APC had announced plans to hold rerun ward elections in outstanding constituencies. A notice issued on 22 July 2026 by then National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya had fixed the reruns for 29 July 2026 in wards where polls had been cancelled or remained under review.
With internal party mechanisms now frozen and senior political figures raising questions about the calendar, attention is fixed on the courts and regulatory bodies for the next steps.
