APC Election Crisis: Complaints Board Sets Dates to Hear Disputes

The All People’s Congress (APC) Independent Elections Complaints Board (IECB) has announced the schedule for hearings into petitions arising from the party’s Constituency Executive Elections held on 25 July 2026, marking the next phase of the party’s internal electoral process.

In a notice issued on Monday, 3 August 2026, the IECB informed petitioners and other relevant parties that hearings will commence on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, beginning with petitions from the Western Area before proceeding to other districts.

According to the schedule, petitions from Moyamba will be heard on Thursday, 6 August; Tonkolili on Friday, 7 August; Bombali on Monday, 10 August; Karene and Kambia on Tuesday, 11 August; Kono on Wednesday, 12 August; Falaba on Thursday, 13 August; while all remaining constituencies will be heard on Friday, 14 August 2026.

All hearings will be held at the Freetown City Council, 17 Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown, starting at 12:00 noon.

The IECB said the hearings are intended to provide all parties connected to the petitions with an opportunity to present their cases. Those expected to participate include petitioners and their witnesses, respondents from the Independent Elections Management Committee (IEMC), affected persons, legal representatives, and representatives of the party’s secretariat.

The Board stated that petitioners and their witnesses are required to attend, while IEMC representatives will respond to issues raised in the petitions and provide clarifications where necessary.

The IECB also stressed the importance of ensuring that all affected persons are served with copies of the petitions filed against them to guarantee their right to respond.

“It is imperative that all affected persons by the petitions are served and notified of the petitions against them so as to allow them an opportunity to be heard,” the Board stated.

The notice further indicated that legal representatives may make submissions on behalf of petitioners or affected persons, while the party’s secretariat will provide clarification on matters relating to the voter register and other issues within its mandate.

The hearings are expected to play a key role in resolving disputes arising from the APC Constituency Executive Elections, with the Complaints Board set to consider submissions from all parties before reaching its decisions.