Stats SL Engages Political Parties and PPRC on 2026 Census Implementation

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has held a high-level strategic engagement with the All Political Parties Association (APPA) and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) to provide updates on the implementation of the 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC’26).

The session, convened at Kona Lodge in Freetown, brought together senior representatives from across the political spectrum, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP), United National People’s Party (UNPP), National Grand Coalition (NGC), National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Alliance Democratic Party (ADP), National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP), Citizens Democratic Party (CDP), People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), Peace and Liberation Movement (PLM), and United Democratic Movement (UDM).

In his opening remarks, Statistician-General and Chief Census Officer, Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, expressed appreciation to political leaders for attending on short notice. He emphasised the pivotal role political parties play in ensuring a successful and credible census.
Politics, demography, and census work are deeply interconnected,” Mr. Johnny stated. “You influence your communities and constituencies directly. Therefore, your role in sensitising the public at regional, district, and chiefdom levels is crucial to the success of this national exercise_*.”

He urged political parties to utilise their structures to drive public engagement and census awareness, reinforcing the message that “*_the success of the census starts with awareness_*.”

Mr. Johnny also noted that several parties are already represented on the Census Advisory Committee—the highest-level consultative body for the census—and encouraged continued non-partisan cooperation as the exercise progresses.
During an open discussion session, party representatives offered insights and reaffirmed their support for the national census effort. Mr. Tolly BH Souga of the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) expressed his party’s commitment to supporting Stats SL, pledging to work toward a peaceful, inclusive, and credible census process.
All parties present commended Stats SL for its transparent, inclusive, and collaborative approach and pledged to mobilise their grassroots networks in 
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