The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has officially presented its findings on disputes arising from the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) lower-level elections, recommending a re-run in key areas where irregularities were found.
At a ceremony held at the PPRC headquarters on Tower Hill, Freetown, Chairman Emmanuel Koivaya Amara handed over the report to SLPP National Chairman, Prince Alex Harding. The document addresses petitions from party members across 14 districts, including Western Area Urban, Western Area Rural, Kenema, Kailahun, Bo, Karene, and Port Loko, following the elections which commenced on February 8, 2025.
Speaking at the event, Chairman Amara reaffirmed the PPRC’s commitment to fairness and transparency in political party activities.
“We received multiple petitions from aggrieved party members who were dissatisfied with the conduct and results of the elections in their respective districts,” he stated. He emphasized that the Commission’s role is to regulate party affairs and ensure a level playing field for all.
The report uncovered several irregularities, particularly concerning the distribution of party membership cards and inconsistencies in zonal elections. As a result, the PPRC has ordered a re-run in affected areas while upholding results in districts where elections were deemed valid.
“There are a number of elections we have ordered to be re-run, not solely because of our findings but also based on the decisions of the SLPP’s Regional Elections Committee,” Amara noted, adding that the Commission will work with the party to ensure compliance with proper electoral procedures.
SLPP National Chairman Prince Alex Harding welcomed the report, expressing confidence that it would help resolve internal disputes.
“Although I have not yet fully reviewed the content of the report, I am confident that it will help address the concerns that have arisen from the lower-level elections,” he remarked.
The PPRC’s Executive Secretary, Olushogo A. David, highlighted the Commission’s role in addressing intra-party conflicts, stressing that internal party mechanisms must first be exhausted before external intervention.
With the PPRC’s directives now in place, the SLPP is expected to move forward with the re-run elections in disputed zones. The resolution of these grievances is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening the party’s internal democracy and unity.
