By Musa Paul Feika
As Sierra Leone gradually moves towards another important electoral contest, the question is no longer simply who will contest the election. The bigger question is: what will determine who wins the confidence and votes of Sierra Leoneans?
Currently, the country is at crossroads as most often than not, elections are reduced to political parties, presidential candidates, campaign rallies, slogans and political promises. But the reality is much more complicated. Sierra Leone’s next election is likely to be shaped by several factors, including the performance of the government, the strength of the opposition, the credibility of presidential candidates, the state of the economy, youth participation, regional and ethnic considerations, voter turnout and the confidence citizens have in the electoral process.
At the centre of the contest will be the question of performance.
Voters will judge the government not only by what it promised during the last election, but by what it has actually delivered. Citizens are likely to ask whether their lives have improved and whether government programmes have produced real results.
Issues such as employment, food prices, electricity, roads, education, healthcare, corruption, business opportunities and the general cost of living will remain important. For many ordinary Sierra Leoneans, politics is not simply about speeches. It is about whether they can find a job, feed their families, pay school fees, access healthcare and live with some level of economic security.
If voters believe the government has delivered meaningful results, the governing party could benefit from that record. But if many citizens believe that promises have not been fulfilled, the opposition could use that dissatisfaction to make a strong case for change.
However, government performance alone may not decide the election.
The opposition will also have to convince voters that it is ready to govern. It will not be enough to spend months criticising the government. Opposition parties and candidates will have to explain clearly what they would do differently if given power.
Sierra Leoneans may want to hear practical answers to basic questions. How will the opposition create jobs? How will it reduce the cost of living? How will it improve education and healthcare? How will it attract investment? How will it fight corruption? How will it strengthen public institutions?
The party that can provide convincing answers may gain an advantage.
Another important factor will be the personality and credibility of the presidential candidates.
Political parties are important, but candidates also matter. In Sierra Leone, voters often consider the character, experience, public image, communication skills and leadership record of individual candidates.
A candidate may belong to a powerful political party but still struggle if citizens do not trust that person. On the other hand, a candidate with a strong public reputation and a convincing message may attract voters beyond the traditional support base of his or her party.
This makes the selection of presidential candidates particularly important. Political parties will have to consider not only who can win an internal contest, but who can appeal to the wider population.
Party loyalty, however, remains a major force in Sierra Leonean politics.
The country’s two major political parties have strong support bases across different parts of the country. Many citizens have voted for the same political party for years, sometimes across generations. Political identity can therefore play a major role in determining voting behaviour.
But an important question is emerging: will Sierra Leoneans continue to vote mainly because of party loyalty, or will performance and national interest become more important?
That question could become one of the defining issues of the next election.
Regional and ethnic considerations will also remain part of the political calculation. Sierra Leone is a diverse country, and political parties have historically worked to build strong support in different regions and communities.
However, the candidate who depends too heavily on a regional or ethnic appeal may face difficulties in a national election. A presidential candidate needs support beyond one community or region.
The successful candidate will likely be the one capable of building a broad coalition across regional, ethnic, religious and generational lines.
This is particularly important because young people make up a large part of Sierra Leone’s population.
Youth unemployment, education, skills training, entrepreneurship, technology and access to political opportunities are likely to remain major electoral issues. Young people are not only voters; they are also a major force in political campaigns, social media discussions and public debate.
Young voters may increasingly demand more than political promises. They may want specific targets, clear programmes and evidence that political leaders can deliver.
First-time voters could also influence the next election. Unlike some older voters who may have strong and long standing political loyalties, some first-time voters may be more open to new political ideas and independent candidates.
Social media will also play a bigger role in shaping political opinions. Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube and other digital platforms have changed how citizens receive political information. Political parties can no longer depend entirely on rallies, radio and television to communicate with voters.
But social media also presents challenges. False information, political propaganda, personal attacks and misleading claims can spread quickly. Political parties, journalists and citizens will therefore have an important responsibility to verify information before accepting or sharing it.
The economy will undoubtedly be another major determinant.
When families struggle with rising prices and declining purchasing power, economic conditions can influence how people vote. Citizens want to know whether their incomes can meet their daily needs.
Political parties will therefore have to explain how they intend to create jobs, attract investment, support businesses, improve agricultural production, strengthen the Leone and reduce pressure on ordinary households.
Economic promises will have to go beyond campaign slogans. Voters may increasingly ask where the money will come from and how proposed programmes will actually be implemented.
Another major issue will be trust in the electoral process.
A peaceful and credible election requires confidence in the institutions responsible for organising and managing elections. Political parties must respect the rules, while election officials must perform their duties professionally and transparently.
Civil society organisations, journalists, religious leaders and citizens also have roles to play. The media, in particular, must provide voters with accurate information and give political actors a fair opportunity to present their views.
Political parties must also be prepared to accept legitimate electoral outcomes and use lawful channels to challenge results where genuine disputes arise.
At the same time, voter turnout could become decisive.
It is one thing for a candidate to have a large political following. It is another for supporters to actually go to the polls and vote. Political parties will therefore have to mobilise their supporters, particularly young people and first-time voters.
The candidate or party that succeeds in turning political support into actual votes could gain a significant advantage.
Ultimately, Sierra Leone’s next election is unlikely to be determined by one issue or one individual. It will probably be the result of several factors coming together: government performance, opposition strength, candidate credibility, party organisation, economic conditions, youth participation, regional considerations, voter turnout and public confidence in the electoral process.
The real contest, therefore, will be about more than winning votes.
It will be about convincing Sierra Leoneans that a particular political party or candidate has the competence, honesty, experience and national vision required to lead the country.
Political leaders may make big promises during the campaign. But voters will eventually have to decide which promises they believe, which candidates they trust and which political programme they think can improve their lives.
As the political season becomes more intense, every presidential aspirant should therefore be prepared to answer one simple but important question:
What is your plan for Sierra Leone, and why should Sierra Leoneans trust you to implement it?
The answer may determine not only who wins the next election, but also what direction the country takes after the votes have been counted.
For Sierra Leone, the next election should not simply be a competition for political power. It should be an opportunity for citizens to demand accountability, compare national programmes and choose leadership based on the future they want for themselves and the generations that will come after them.
In the end, the strongest political message may not be the loudest slogan or the biggest rally. It may simply be a credible plan, a trusted candidate and a convincing record of service to the people.
That is where the real battle for Sierra Leone’s next election is likely to be fought.