WhatsApp poll on APC candidate invalidated in Sierra Leone
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sierra Loaded
The Sierra Leonean NGO CHRDI has invalidated its 9 November poll on the future candidate of the APC party, after detecting massive and irregular voting, notably in Chernor Bah’s slot. It noted access from abroad without being able to link it to the candidates' teams, according to its statement relayed by Sierra Loaded.
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), a Sierra Leonean organisation, has invalidated the WhatsApp poll it held on 9 November 2026 on the choice of flagbearer of the All People’s Congress (APC) party. It cites irregular votes and attempts to compromise the vote, according to a statement.
The organisation says it noted a sudden surge in votes in the space assigned to Chernor Bah, with similar patterns for other candidates. It says it detected use of the voting tool from outside Sierra Leone, without being able to link it to the candidates' campaign teams. It acknowledges that WhatsApp polls can neither verify the identity of voters nor prevent mass voting.
CHRDI says its decision aims to protect the credibility of the process and not to favour any candidate. It accepts responsibility for having trusted the platform, which it says is used by media such as CNN and Sky Sports, and announces an audit of the poll on the SLPP, the ruling party. A new, more inclusive platform is to be announced soon.
The race for the APC nomination takes place in a tense climate, after APC candidates demanded the release of Joseph Kamara on 10 October.
