Sierra Leonean parliamentary election, 1982
Encyclopedia
Parliamentary elections were held in Sierra Leone
on 1 May 1982. They were the first elections since the country had become a single-party state
under the 1978 constitution
, with the All People's Congress
being the sole legal party.
were held to choose up to three candidates (all selected by the APC) to stand in each of the 85 constituencies. As a result, elections in 66 of the 85 constituencies were contested (13 of the 19 seats left uncontested were held by cabinet ministers).
The elections were marred by violence in which up to 50 people died. The APC used the army to crush opposition SLPP
supporters in what became known as the "Ndogboyosoi [bush devil] war".
In addition to the 85 elected seats, the parliament
consisted of 12 paramount chief
s elected through tribal councils and 7 MPs appointed by the president
, Siaka Stevens
.
40 sitting MPs and two ministers lost their seats, whilst a woman was elected to parliament in a constituency seat for the first time.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
on 1 May 1982. They were the first elections since the country had become a single-party state
Single-party state
A single-party state, one-party system or single-party system is a type of party system government in which a single political party forms the government and no other parties are permitted to run candidates for election...
under the 1978 constitution
Sierra Leonean constitutional referendum, 1978
A constitutional referendum was held in Sierra Leone on 12 July 1978. The changes were aimed at turning the country into a presidential single-party state, with the All People's Congress as the sole legal party. The new constitution had been adopted by parliament in May, and was put to public...
, with the All People's Congress
All People's Congress
The All People's Congress is one of the two major political parties in Sierra Leone, the other is the Sierra Leone People's Party . The party was founded in 1960 by Pa Mucktarru Kallay, Allieu Badarr Koroma,Alhaji Sheik Gibril Sesay C A Kamara-Taylor, S A T Koroma and Abu Bakarr S Bangura...
being the sole legal party.
Background
Following an amendment to the constitution in 1981, prior to the election, primariesPrimary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
were held to choose up to three candidates (all selected by the APC) to stand in each of the 85 constituencies. As a result, elections in 66 of the 85 constituencies were contested (13 of the 19 seats left uncontested were held by cabinet ministers).
The elections were marred by violence in which up to 50 people died. The APC used the army to crush opposition SLPP
Sierra Leone People's Party
Sierra Leone People's Party is one of the two major political parties in Sierra Leone, along with the All People's Congress .-Formation:...
supporters in what became known as the "Ndogboyosoi [bush devil] war".
In addition to the 85 elected seats, the parliament
Parliament of Sierra Leone
The unicameral Parliament of Sierra Leone is the country's legislative body. It is sometimes known as the House of Representatives.The current Parliament, formed following elections held on 14 May 2002, has a total of 124 members. 112 members are directly elected in multi-member constituencies...
consisted of 12 paramount chief
Paramount chief
A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple...
s elected through tribal councils and 7 MPs appointed by the president
Heads of government of Sierra Leone
The following is a list of heads of government of Sierra Leone from 1954 until 1978, when a single party constitution was adopted, and President of Sierra Leone became head of government as well.-Heads of Government of Sierra Leone:-See also:...
, Siaka Stevens
Siaka Stevens
Siaka Probyn Stevens was the 3rd prime minister of Sierra Leone from 1967–1971 and the 1st president of Sierra Leone from 1971–1985. Stevens is generally criticised for dictatorial methods of government in which many of his political opponents were executed, as well as for mismanaging...
.
Results
| Party | Seats |
|---|---|
| All People's Congress All People's Congress The All People's Congress is one of the two major political parties in Sierra Leone, the other is the Sierra Leone People's Party . The party was founded in 1960 by Pa Mucktarru Kallay, Allieu Badarr Koroma,Alhaji Sheik Gibril Sesay C A Kamara-Taylor, S A T Koroma and Abu Bakarr S Bangura... |
85 |
| Indirectly elected paramount chief Paramount chief A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple... s |
12 |
| Presidential Heads of government of Sierra Leone The following is a list of heads of government of Sierra Leone from 1954 until 1978, when a single party constitution was adopted, and President of Sierra Leone became head of government as well.-Heads of Government of Sierra Leone:-See also:... appointees |
7 |
| Total | 104 |
Aftermath
The results in 13 constituencies were cancelled due to "serious irregularities". By-elections took place on June 4.40 sitting MPs and two ministers lost their seats, whilst a woman was elected to parliament in a constituency seat for the first time.