Prominent lawyer and governance advocate Basita Michael has issued a stinging critique of Sierra Leone’s two main political parties, accusing both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) of manipulating the creation of new districts not for development—but for electoral gain.
In a sharply worded statement, Michael warns that recent moves by both parties to redraw district boundaries appear less about national progress and more about entrenching political power. She argues that this trend represents a serious erosion of democratic principles in Sierra Leone.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid the conclusion that the APC and SLPP’s creation of new districts is less about development and more about manipulating electoral outcomes,” she wrote.
A Threat to Democratic Integrity
Michael points to a broader and more troubling pattern: that both political parties have abandoned any sincere commitment to free, fair, and competitive elections, instead choosing to polarise the electorate and reshape voting demographics for their own benefit.
“This constant tampering with the system for electoral advantage is gradually turning elections from a process in which citizens choose their leaders into one where leaders choose their voters,” she warns.
The manipulation of district boundaries—also known as gerrymandering in other contexts—can significantly alter electoral outcomes by packing or splitting voter groups to favour one party. Critics argue that such practices corrode the integrity of democratic processes.
Misplaced Priorities
Michael’s critique also highlights a deeper governance failure. Rather than addressing the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges—including poverty, lack of opportunity, rampant drug abuse, and impunity—she contends that the SLPP and APC have instead opted to play power games.
“They continue to prioritise political polarisation over the well-being and prosperity of ordinary Sierra Leoneans,” she stated, adding that the parties lack either the capacity or the will to deliver meaningful change.
A Call for Unity and Real Reform
As Sierra Leone continues to grapple with economic hardship and a disillusioned youth population, Michael’s intervention has struck a chord with many frustrated by the country’s political stagnation. She calls for an urgent redirection of national focus—from division and power plays to unity and development.
“It is time to focus on what unites us, not what divides us,” she concluded.
Observers see her remarks as part of a growing public demand for accountability, political maturity, and democratic reform, particularly in the lead-up to future elections.
By Tony Williams
