A new nationwide survey has found overwhelming support among Sierra Leoneans for political parties to adopt more inclusive methods for selecting their presidential candidates, with approximately three-quarters of respondents calling for direct votes by all party cardholders.

The study, conducted by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) in December 2025, reveals significant dissatisfaction with the current delegate-based system used by the All Peoples Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

According to the findings, 74% of APC supporters and 77% of SLPP supporters believe flagbearers should be chosen through a direct primary election in which all party members can vote, rather than by a select group of delegates or senior party figures.

This demand for greater internal democracy comes alongside data showing low grassroots participation in existing party processes. Only 18% of self-identified party members report taking part in nominating candidates for primaries, and just 26% say they have voted in a primary election. Men were significantly more likely to participate than women.

Related News

“Although there is widespread belief that party delegates… make decisions, there is a general sense of less inclusivity of the grassroots in decision-making,” the report states. It warns that this disconnect risks alienating the party base and creating internal conflict.

The current system, where delegates chosen at various administrative levels elect the flagbearer at a national convention, has often been marred by allegations of central interference. The survey notes reports that national party officials sometimes “encourage, recommend, or coerce local officials to choose a particular candidate,” leading to disputes that have historically resulted in court cases and party splintering.

Despite a prevailing perception—held by 70% of respondents—that delegates are the primary decision-makers, the strong preference for direct primaries indicates a public desire to reduce the influence of party elites, often referred to as “big men.”

The IGR survey sampled 1,200 adults across the country. While party officials have questioned the methodology for not polling formal delegates, researchers argue that the sample, in which 74% identified as party members or supporters, accurately captures the views of the active but often informally engaged party base.

This push for more open candidate selection processes highlights a key public priority as Sierra Leone’s major parties begin preparations for the 2028 general elections.