APC Halts Ward Elections Over Funding Shortfall

The All People’s Congress (APC) has officially halted its Ward Elections scheduled for Saturday, 14th February 2026, citing insufficient funding and inadequate preparation time, the party’s Internal Elections Management Committee (IEMC) announced in a formal position letter.

In a statement addressed to the APC National Secretary General and all party stakeholders, the IEMC said that despite confirming its readiness to conduct the elections, only 31.5% of the approved Ward Elections budget was released, with just 16% of the issued cheque honoured by the bank. The deadline for the full release of funds, 9th February, passed without compliance.

“With only four days remaining until the scheduled election date, the IEMC faces insurmountable logistical and operational challenges that make the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections impossible,” the committee said.

The IEMC cited several critical constraints, including the inability to recruit, train, and remunerate polling personnel, secure adequate transport for election materials, finalize candidate lists, and establish a proper voter register. The committee emphasized that proceeding under such conditions would violate constitutional requirements, risk irregularities, and undermine the party’s internal democratic processes.

Haji Hassan Kamara, National Coordinator of the IEMC, stated that the responsibility for the postponement lies entirely with the failure to release the approved budget on time. He reassured stakeholders that the committee is fully prepared to conduct the elections immediately upon receipt of the necessary resources and reasonable preparation time.

The IEMC acknowledged the disappointment this postponement may cause among party members but stressed that a flawed election would inflict greater harm on the APC’s democratic integrity than a temporary delay.

The move underscores the importance of financial planning and operational readiness in ensuring credible internal party elections, as the APC prepares for continued internal positioning ahead of future contests.