The All People’s Congress (APC) has expressed shock and concern over the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone’s (ECSL) decision to hold early voting for pilgrims to Mecca and members of the security forces, who will be deployed on polling day.

The APC alleges that the exercise is illegal, as the party was not officially informed or invited to accredit party agents to observe the elections, as mandated by law.

In a statement released today, the APC highlighted its disappointment with the ECSL’s lack of transparency and commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and credible electoral process. The last-minute announcement of the voting date has further raised suspicions about the commission’s intentions.

The APC firmly asserts that the impending early voting, scheduled for tomorrow, will be conducted without the presence of accredited APC observers. The party argues that this omission alone renders the exercise null and void, casting doubt on its legitimacy.

Raising concerns about the potential implications of the ECSL’s actions, the APC has called upon the international community and moral guarantors to take immediate steps to prevent Sierra Leone from descending into chaos and anarchy. The party believes that the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mohamed Konneh, is jeopardizing the nation’s stability by disregarding democratic principles.

Emphasizing their stance, the APC states that they will not accept the outcome of the early voting exercise, as they deem it to be neither free, fair, nor transparent. The party accuses the ECSL of deliberately undermining the electoral process and violating the rights of political parties.