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The National Chairman of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Dr. Prince Alex Harding, has urged all party supporters and aspirants vying for lower-level and national executive positions to uphold the party’s democratic values in the upcoming elections.
The elections, scheduled to commence on February 8, 2025, are expected to reflect the SLPP’s commitment to internal democracy.
Speaking at a recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, Dr. Harding emphasized the party’s readiness to conduct the elections within the framework of the national constitution and the Political Parties Regulatory Council (PPRC) guidelines. He reiterated the importance of respecting the SLPP constitution, rules, and regulations, ensuring a transparent and credible electoral process.
To curb electoral malpractices and maintain party integrity, the SLPP will implement a serialized membership card system under strict supervision. This measure aims to prevent past incidents where opposition members infiltrated lower-level elections through illegal means, which resulted in violence and disruptions in certain regions.
Dr. Harding recalled that some aspirants distributed party cards indiscriminately to non-members for personal gains, leading to conflicts. He reassured SLPP members that the electoral process will be impartial, fair, and peaceful.
To further enhance credibility, the elections will be conducted simultaneously across the country for different levels of party leadership:
Sectional/Zonal Elections: February 8, 2025
Chiefdom Elections: February 15, 2025
Constituency Executives: February 22, 2025
District Executives: March 1, 2025
Regional Executives: March 8, 2025
Dr. Harding described this new electoral structure as a welcome reform that will minimize fraud, interference, and violence, ensuring a peaceful process. He called for the establishment of a strong political base that would secure another SLPP victory in 2028.
National officers have been instructed to monitor the elections closely and report irregularities to party headquarters for immediate action.
“There is an urgent need to strengthen our democratic foundation at all levels,” Dr. Harding stated, reaffirming the SLPP’s dedication to a transparent electoral process.
