Freetown, Sierra Leone – 27 February 2026 — The Internal Elections Management Committee (IEMC) of the All People’s Congress (APC) has officially nullified several Ward Executive Elections conducted nationwide on Saturday, 21 February 2026, citing widespread procedural, administrative, and operational lapses that compromised the credibility of the process.
In a formal notice dated 26 February 2026 and addressed to the APC National Secretary General, the IEMC stated that a thorough post-election review, drawing on detailed reports from district coordinators, field election officers, and other stakeholders, uncovered irregularities serious enough to undermine the integrity of the results in the affected wards.
The committee stressed that the cancellations were essential to protect the party’s internal democratic standards and ensure full compliance with the APC Constitution (2022), the Elections Regulations, and all approved guidelines.
“The decision to cancel these elections is guided by the IEMC’s constitutional mandate to ensure that all internal party elections are conducted fairly, transparently, and in strict compliance with the APC Constitution (2022) and Elections Regulations,” the notice emphasised.
Affected wards include the following (with specific wards listed where identified):
– Kono: Ward 091
– Bombali: Wards 100, 105, 112, 121, 122
– Falaba: Wards 131, 133, 139
– Tonkolili: Wards 180, 181
– Kambia: Wards 190, 202
– Karene: Wards 212, 217, 220, 221, 225, 227, 228
– Port Loko: Wards 235, 248, 254
– Moyamba: Ward 331
– Pujehun: Ward 362 (Veterans position) and Ward 356 (eight positions)
– Western Area East: Wards 407, 408, 409, 414
– Western Area Rural: Wards 386, 387
– Western Area West: Wards 427, 430, 431, 443
The IEMC has pledged to communicate administrative and logistical arrangements for fresh elections in these wards “soon.” It reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality, professionalism, and strict adherence to electoral standards.
This latest development follows an earlier postponement of the ward polls. The elections had originally been slated for 14 February 2026 but were halted by the IEMC due to insufficient funding and logistical challenges, only proceeding on 21 February after those issues were apparently resolved.
The APC, Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, has been conducting these grassroots ward executive elections as part of its ongoing internal reorganisation. Party officials have described the process as critical for strengthening structures at the community level.
The committee has assured all stakeholders that fresh polls will be conducted under conditions guaranteeing equal participation for every eligible member and candidate.
