The All Peoples Congress (APC) Independent Elections Complaint Board (IECB) has nullified the October 11, 2026 rerun lower-level elections in Ward 227, Constituency 066, Karene District, and ordered a fresh election.
In its determination dated November 5, 2026, signed by Chairman Ibrahim Sorie Esq., the Board upheld a petition filed on October 12, 2026 by Abu Sheriff Conteh and other aspirants, including Peter Sinneh Sesay, Kadiatu Sankoh, Momoh Bangura, Bai Kanu, Osman Bangura, Alimamy Kargbo, and Councillor Sorie P. Kamara challenging the conduct of the rerun held at Menthen Village.
The petitioners alleged several irregularities, including over-voting and ballot stuffing, wrongful voiding of valid votes, early closure of voting, restriction of polling agents, use of unauthorised ad hoc officials, interference with the assigned officer Dr. Marke, and refusal to allow candidates to ballot for their symbols.
One of the most serious allegations was a discrepancy in turnout. The petitioners claimed that only 142 people voted, but 210 votes were declared.
During the hearing, Alimamy Kamara, an agent for Team Abu Sheriff Conteh, testified that his team was denied the opportunity to ballot for its symbols.
He said sorting of ballot papers was done twice, that ballots were mixed after the first sorting when his team appeared to be leading, and that he was not allowed to get close to IEMC officials during counting. He also claimed voting was abruptly terminated at 3:00 p.m., leaving some voters disenfranchised.
Another witness, Sheka Yusufu Samura, defended the credibility of the election, stating that voting started at about 11:00 a.m. and ended around 4:00 p.m. because there were no voters left in the queue.
The Presiding Officer acknowledged that ballot sorting was done twice but denied that votes for Abu Sheriff Conteh’s team were deliberately invalidated to give advantage to Team Ibrahim Sesay.
He said he placed ballots on the table and allowed someone to place a hand on them to prevent the wind from blowing them away, not to void them.
Board Findings
After considering testimonies and evidence, the IECB found that:
1. The conduct of the rerun fell short of the standards of transparency, fairness, and accountability required by the APC Constitution.
2. The irregularities, particularly the discrepancy between voters and votes declared, the treatment of void votes, restriction on agents, and use of unauthorised ad hoc staff, were serious enough to undermine the integrity of the process and its outcome.
3. The venue and the way the elections were conducted did not give all candidates an equal opportunity.
4. This being the fourth rerun for Ward 227, repeated failures to deliver a credible election have eroded confidence in the process and officials.
Orders
In upholding the petition, the Board ordered:
1. The October 11, 2026 rerun elections in Ward 227 are nullified, and a fresh rerun must be conducted.
2. The IEMC National Coordinator, Haji Hassan Kamara Esq., shall personally supervise and conduct the fresh election alongside credible IEMC officials of his choosing.
3. The venue must be relocated from Menthen Village to another location within Ward 227, to be selected by the Secretariat.
4. Each contesting team must be allowed at least two agents, who must be registered members of the APC.
The determination was issued as the party continues its nationwide lower-level elections ahead of its national convention.
