By Abdulaziz Samura
Ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability in the upcoming All People’s Congress (APC) ward, constituency, district, regional and national elections, the party’s Internal Elections Management Committee (IEMC) converged in Makeni City to discuss solutions in strengthening the internal election processes within the party.
The retreat, which took place Friday 27th to Sunday 29th June 2025, attracted key party’s stalwarts ranging from the Acting Chairman Ambassador, Osman Foday Yansaneh, National Secretary General Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya, Freetown City Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, APC Members of Parliaments, regional party’s chairmen, district chairmen, to both former and current councillors.
In his keynote address, Chairman Yansaneh gave background of the party’s origin, adding that the APC believes in elections. “The APC is a resilience party that has stood the test of time. That was why it was very easy to successfully achieve the reforms our youths were craving for, a new constitution.
Ambassador Yansaneh also stated that “Article 42 of the party’s constitution states that there shall be an entity responsible to conduct internal elections of the party, which is now the Internal Elections Management Committee (IEMC). Having an entity like this, internal elections would be transparent, free and fair. “If we have an institution like this, elections expert of our party would sit and discuss how we can have successful internal elections without chaos or disunity,” he said.
Speaking on the purpose of the event, IEMC’s National Coordinator, Comrade Hassan Kamara Esq. affirmed the electoral committee management, and that the retreat aims to prepare the IEMC for the upcoming internal party elections, ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair, and credible.
He went on that as a sole authority responsible for overseeing elections at all levels within the APC, the IEMC is tasked with counting and announcing with Article 42 and 54 of the party’s constitution, which was established in March in 2022.
“The retreat will feature experts in elections, constitutional law, and information and communication technology, alongside interactive sessions aimed at fostering collaboration among participants,” he said.
He further disclosed that during the retreat, the technical team will align the IEMC’s strategies, tools, and timelines with the party’s constitution, Election Rules and Regulations, and the IEMC Manual.
The IEMC leader continued by emphasizing the importance of stakeholder participation, stressing that it is crucial for all members to voice their concerns, contribute insights, and provide constructive suggestions throughout the process, stating that the gathering is not just an ordinary planning exercise; it is a pivotal step toward ensuring electoral legitimacy and rebuilding internal trust within the party.
Coordinator Kamara ended by introducing his dedicated members of the committee present, affirming their readiness to facilitate the upcoming party internal elections.
The APC Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, concisely advised the IEMC on issues that usually create tensions or chaos when it comes to internal party’s elections. “The victory of this party to State House is in your hands. This is your first election you are going to conduct. Thus, I advise you consider all factors that would lead to a prosperous ward, constituency, district, region, and national elections.
Freetown City Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, in her statement, called on the committee to have women representation, as according to her, they are not only partners in development in the party but also in the country as a whole.
The retreat was climaxed with a closed door session among members of the Internal Elections Management Committee on the last day of the event.
