2012 Sierra Leonean general election

General elections were held in Sierra Leone on 17 November 2012.[1] The result was a sweeping victory for the ruling All People's Congress. Its leader, incumbent president Ernest Bai Koroma, won 58.7% of the vote, enough to win a second term without the need for a runoff. The APC also won 67 of the 112 elected seats in Parliament. To date, it is the APC's best showing at an election since the restoration of multiparty politics in 1991.

2012 Sierra Leonean general election

← 2007 17 November 2012 2018 →
Presidential election
 
Nominee Ernest Bai Koroma Julius Maada Bio
Party APC SLPP
Running mate Samuel Sam-Sumana Kadi Sesay
Popular vote 1,314,881 819,185
Percentage 58.65% 37.36%

Results by district

President before election

Ernest Bai Koroma
All People's Congress

Elected President

Ernest Bai Koroma
All People's Congress

Candidates

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In April 2007, the APC endorsed incumbent Ernest Bai Koroma for a second term. He was challenged by former President and general Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People's Party. On July 31, 2011, Bio defeated Usman Boie Kamara for the party's nomination.[2]

In the elections for the twelve Chief seats in Parliament, only four were contested.[3]

Results

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President

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Koroma won 59% of the vote in the first round, exceeding the 55 percent threshold required to win the presidency in a single round.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Ernest Bai KoromaAll People's Congress1,314,88158.65
Julius Maada BioSierra Leone People's Party837,51737.36
Charles MargaiPeople's Movement for Democratic Change28,9441.29
Joshua Albert CarewCitizens Democratic Party22,8631.02
Eldred CollinsRevolutionary United Front12,9930.58
Gibrilla KamaraPeople's Democratic Party8,2730.37
Kandeh Baba ContehPeace and Liberation Party6,1440.27
Mohamed BanguraUnited Democratic Movement5,0690.23
James Obai FullahUnited National People's Party5,0440.23
Total2,241,728100.00
Valid votes2,241,72895.37
Invalid/blank votes108,8984.63
Total votes2,350,626100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,692,63587.30
Source: National Electoral Commission

By district

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District Koroma Bio
Votes % Votes %
Kailahun District 26,331 22.6 85,525 73.3
Kenema District 39,180 18.7 163,303 77.9
Kono District 67,238 58.2 42,912 37.1
Bombali District 176,023 93.2 8,249 4.4
Kambia District 88,597 82.0 14,083 13.0
Koinadugu District 89,282 86.4 8,333 8.1
Port Loko District 182,761 90.2 11,329 5.6
Tonkolili District 145,479 92.6 6,864 4.4
Bo District 36,575 16.7 169,254 77.1
Bonthe District 7,667 11.7 52,762 80.6
Moyamba District 28,703 26.2 71,587 65.3
Pujehun District 10,565 15.5 50,796 74.7
Western Area Urban District 315,071 71.4 120,646 27.3
Western Area Rural District 101,409 74.3 31,874 23.4
Source: National Electoral Commission[permanent dead link]

Parliament

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
All People's Congress1,149,23453.6767+8
Sierra Leone People's Party819,18538.2542–1
People's Movement for Democratic Change69,2023.230–10
National Democratic Alliance27,7061.2900
Revolutionary United Front12,5730.590New
United Democratic Movement11,7710.550New
People's Democratic Party8,3870.390New
Citizens Democratic Party7,4460.350New
United National People's Party4,7340.2200
Peace and Liberation Party2,3300.1100
Independents28,9141.3500
Paramount chiefs120
Vacant seats3
Total2,141,482100.001240
Source: National Electoral Commission

By-elections

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Three seats were left vacant, with no election taking place in constituencies 5, 12 and 92 (Western Area Rural District). The election was delayed in Western Area Rural District due to the death of PMDC candidate, and a by-election was held on 9 February 2013. The result was a victory for the APC candidate, who received 61% of the vote.[4]

Aftermath

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Results showed Koroma winning in the first round of voting, receiving 58.7% of the vote against 37.4% for the SLPP candidate, Bio. If he had received less than 55% of the vote, a second round would have been necessary. Following the announcement of results, Koroma was promptly sworn in for another term as President on 23 November 2012. He said that he would "continue to attract investment" and "continue to fight corruption".[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Election Guide, Sierra Leone Country Profile". International Federation for Electoral Systems. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  2. ^ SEM (1 August 2011). "Julius Maada Bio wins SLPP flagbearership". Sierra Express Media. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  3. ^ Government Notice National Electoral Commission
  4. ^ Declaration of Parliamentary Election Results in Constituency 92 National Electoral Commission
  5. ^ Sierra Leone's Koroma promises growth in new term Reuters, 23 November 2012