Candidate entry into local government
This project aims to improve the technical competence and representativeness of elected officials in Sierra Leone by broadening the candidate pool through community nominations and technocratic screening. Key findings for policymakers highlight the overrepresentation of local elites among nominees, the strong leadership potential of top candidates, and the need for further progress in gender representation.
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Casey-Policy-Brief-March-2025.pdf
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- Sierra Leone faces significant challenges in improving the technical competence and representativeness of its elected officials. Male elites dominate the political landscape. This imbalance limits local government's ability to represent broader societal needs.
- To address political parties’ challenges in identifying competent and representative candidates, particularly in rural areas, this study provides data to inform their processes, hoping to broaden the candidate pool and add technical competence.
- The study conducts a comprehensive survey of sitting Local Councillors before the 2023 elections, establishing a baseline level of quality among local elected officials in Sierra Leone.
- The study pilots and implements an intervention to find new entrants into politics through community nominations and technocratic screening.
- Key research findings show that popular and qualified nominees tend to be part of local elites, that the top nominees have higher capacity, and that gender representation is improved but limited.
- Policymakers can expand recruitment strategies while noting ongoing challenges including the persisting influence of elites and gender disparities.