Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The All People’s Congress (APC) has unveiled a comprehensive new set of guidelines for vetting presidential aspirants ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The move, announced in an internal party document, aims to ensure that the party nominates the “most competent, credible, and loyal aspirants” to compete for the nation’s highest office.
The new guidance outlines a multi-phased vetting process, nomination criteria, and a structured institutional framework designed to rigorously evaluate potential candidates. According to the preamble of the document, the process is in “furtherance of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party’s commitment to democratic principles, party discipline, and strong national leadership.”
A High-Powered Vetting Committee
Central to the new process is the establishment of a Vetting Committee, a representative body to be chaired by the National Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the APC. The committee’s composition is broad, including representatives from the National Advisory Committee (NAC), Women’s and Young Congresses, the Council of Elders, and even a representative from the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Wing. The National Secretary General will serve as the committee’s secretary.
The document specifies that the vetting will be conducted at the APC National Headquarters in Freetown. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the committee’s decision have a three-day window to appeal in writing to the Independent Elections Complaint Board (IECB), which is mandated to resolve the appeal within seven days.
A Three-Phase Vetting Process
The vetting process is broken down into three distinct phases.
Phase 1: Expression of Interest & Preliminary Screening requires aspirants to submit a Letter of Intent, a detailed CV, certified academic certificates, and proof of citizenship and party membership. The document mandates a minimum of five consecutive years of active APC membership, with no political defection in the past five years.
Phase 2: Background Checks and Verification is a deep dive into an aspirant’s history. It includes obtaining a police clearance certificate, a review of tax compliance, and a scan for any records of financial impropriety or corruption. The committee will also review the aspirant’s public service record, assess their financial capability to run a national campaign, and verify all submitted academic and professional credentials.
Phase 3: Competency and Suitability Assessment involves a rigorous interview process. Aspirants will be required to present their national vision and demonstrate their understanding of domestic and global policy issues. The committee will also evaluate their political viability, fundraising potential, and—critically—their capacity to unite diverse party factions.
Strict Nomination Criteria
In addition to the phased vetting, the new guidelines reinforce several strict nomination criteria. Aspirants must hold at least a recognized university degree, with postgraduate education being a significant advantage. A minimum of five cumulative years in national governance or political leadership is also required.
To prevent frivolous applications, candidates must secure endorsements from at least 20 qualified party delegates from a minimum of five different regions.
A New Scoring System
A key element of the new guidelines is a detailed scoring system. Aspirants will be evaluated across six weighted categories:
Loyalty & Party Service: 20%
Leadership & Governance Experience: 20%
Educational & Intellectual Merit: 15%
Legal & Ethical Record: 15%
Political Vision & Strategy: 15%
Financial Standing & Transparency: 15%
To pass, a candidate must achieve an overall score of at least 70%, with no single category score falling below 50%.
The document concludes by stating that the process is designed to ensure the APC presents a presidential aspirant of “high competence, character, and electability.”
It also warns that any misrepresentation or falsification of information will lead to automatic disqualification and disciplinary action, emphasizing the party’s commitment to a transparent and merit-based selection process.
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