The All People’s Congress (APC) has challenged the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) over the recent fine imposed on the party for an alleged breach of Section 39(1) of the Political Parties Act (No. 25 of 2022), insisting that no verified or authenticated evidence has been presented to support the claim against its Falaba District Chairman, Hon. Lahai Marah.
In a formal response addressed to the Executive Secretary of the PPRC, the APC said it had received the Commission’s correspondence but maintained that it was unaware of any established incident involving Hon. Marah that would constitute a violation of the law. The party emphasised that as a constitutionally governed institution, it treats issues of compliance with the highest degree of seriousness but stressed that allegations must be grounded in verified facts.
The APC highlighted growing concerns about the circulation of doctored audio recordings, misrepresented conversations, and manipulated social media content, noting that regulatory bodies such as the PPRC must exercise maximum scrutiny before initiating sanctions based on unverified material.
The party further accused the Commission of inconsistency in its enforcement of the Political Parties Act. It argued that similar or even more inflammatory public statements allegedly made by senior members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) have not attracted comparable action from the PPRC, creating what it described as a troubling perception of partiality and selective regulation.
According to the APC, the PPRC’s credibility depends on its ability to function as a neutral arbiter in Sierra Leone’s multiparty democracy.
“An umpire must not be seen to lean toward any political actor,” the party stated, adding that impartiality is fundamental to maintaining public trust in the Commission’s oversight role.
As part of its response, the APC formally requested that the PPRC provide the full, unedited, and verifiable evidence—complete with metadata—on which the allegation against Hon. Marah is based. The party also urged the Commission not to enforce any sanction until such material has been shared and its authenticity independently confirmed.
The APC noted that once genuine evidence is provided, its internal disciplinary mechanisms will be activated in line with its constitution.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Joint Agreement signed on 11 November 2025, the party said it remains dedicated to promoting stability, tolerance, and responsible political engagement. However, it urged all national institutions, particularly regulatory bodies, to uphold fairness, transparency, and due process.
