Freetown – Hon. Osman Timbo, Member of Parliament for the Western Area Urban District and an All People’s Congress (APC) member, has written to the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) requesting urgent guidance on the party’s ongoing lower-level constituency elections.
In his letter, Timbo argued that candidates who emerge unopposed after the close of nominations should be declared duly elected without proceeding to a vote.
He maintained that holding elections for uncontested positions is inconsistent with constitutional and electoral principles.
Timbo first raised the issue with the APC’s Internal Elections Management Committee (IEMC) on 10 June 2026, seeking a formal practice direction on unopposed candidates. According to him, the committee has not yet responded despite several follow-ups.
The lawmaker contended that where only one candidate is nominated for a position, no contest exists, rendering an election unnecessary.
He cited provisions in Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution and the Public Elections Act 2022 that recognise the declaration of candidates as elected unopposed.
Timbo further stated that adopting this practice would enhance transparency and efficiency in the party’s internal elections. Among the advantages he highlighted are the timely publication of a final candidates list to reduce confusion, enforcement of nomination deadlines, and lower financial and logistical costs for the party, candidates, delegates and administrators.
He also noted that the approach would minimise tensions, allow election officials to focus on contested races, and help conserve limited party resources.
Timbo warned that the constituency elections, which were postponed, could have seen votes conducted for uncontested positions had they proceeded as originally scheduled. He has asked the PPRC to provide direction before the rescheduled polls take place.
The request adds a procedural dimension to the APC’s internal electoral preparations as the party continues with the lower-level elections.
