Freetown, 14th June 2024 – The All Peoples Congress (APC) has in a press statement announced its suspension from the Tripartite Committee, citing a week-long stalemate over the verification of election results.
The impasse is attributed to the refusal of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government representatives to engage in discussions regarding the disaggregated vote data from the June 24th, 2023 elections.
“The SLPP Government has reneged on its promises to take the necessary steps to ensure the full implementation of the National Unity Agreement,” stated APC National Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya Esq. in the press release. “This includes the failure to release vital data needed to verify the election results.”
Despite the APC’s initial rejection of the 2023 election results, the party participated in an internationally mediated cross-party dialogue in October 2023, aiming to foster peace and national cohesion. However, the APC claims the SLPP has failed to uphold its commitments from that dialogue.
The APC asserts that the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has obstructed the process by withholding essential documents.
“The Terms of Reference explicitly empower the Committee to demand all pertinent documentation,” Dumbuya emphasized. “Yet, the ECSL has continued to obstruct the process.”
Citing Section 92 of the Public Elections Act, 2022, and Section 2(1) of the Right to Access Information Act, 2013, the APC insists that the ECSL is legally obligated to release a summary of all polling station results.
Given the current impasse, the APC has decided to suspend its participation in the Tripartite Committee.
“We urge our supporters and the public to remain calm as we continue to pursue electoral reforms and justice,” Dumbuya urged.
The APC remains hopeful that development partners will support their call for transparency and accountability.
“This decision, though painful, is taken with the hope of invoking the support of our development partners,” Dumbuya concluded.
The party will continue to monitor the situation and keep the public informed of further developments.
