Promoting Informed Choices, Strengthening Democracy.
Introduction
In Sierra Leone, access to reliable political information has often been limited. Citizens frequently
cast their votes without a full understanding of candidates’ policy priorities, qualifications, or past
performance. In such an environment, debates between rival political candidates provide a powerful
tool for bridging the information gap. Evidence from the International Growth Centre (IGC) studies
in Sierra Leone highlights the transformative role that debates can play in enhancing voter knowledge, shaping electoral behavior, and improving the accountability of elected representatives.
Building on these findings, the Citizens Debate Commission – Sierra Leone (CDC-SL) continues to champion the organization and expansion of candidate debates across the country.
Lessons from the 2012 Parliamentary Elections
During the 2012 parliamentary elections, an IGC study found that publicly screened debates
between rival candidates had a significant effect on voter knowledge and behavior. In
constituencies where debates were screened, the share of voters who knew candidates’ top
spending priorities doubled, rising from 14% to 29%. Voters were 9% more likely to vote for a
candidate whose priorities aligned with their own. Importantly, the debates also allowed citizens to observe both the ‘hard facts’ (policy stances, qualifications, experience) and the ‘soft qualities’ (charisma, persuasiveness, credibility) of candidates. These results demonstrated that debates not only improve voter understanding but also help ensure that electoral choices are more responsive to candidate quality and the promises made to constituents.
Scaling Up Debates in the 2018 Elections
Encouraged by the success of 2012, a follow-on IGC-funded project sought to expand debates ahead of the 2018 parliamentary elections. The focus was on finding cost-effective and scalable
methods to reach more voters. Key approaches included: – Cinema Screenings: Using existing cinema halls as venues for debate screenings reduced costs by avoiding the need to transport
heavy equipment across towns. – Outdoor Screenings: Large outdoor gatherings in major towns helped publicize debates and attract wider audiences. – DVD Distribution: Copies of debates were given to community leaders, ensuring local discussions and replay value. – Broadcasting: Debates
were aired live on more than 40 radio stations and multiple television channels, maximizing reach in both rural and urban areas. In December 2017, intraparty debates were held, followed by interparty parliamentary debates in February 2018. These were widely publicized, broadcast, and accessed by tens of thousands of citizens nationwide.
Why Debates Matter
Debates offer unique benefits in strengthening democracy in Sierra Leone:
- Improved Voter Knowledge – Citizens learn about candidates’ policies, priorities, and leadership qualities directly.
- Better Electoral Choices – Voters are more likely to support candidates who reflect their own priorities.
- Enhanced Political Accountability – When elected on the basis of promises made
during debates, MPs face stronger pressure to deliver. - Greater Citizen Engagement – Debates encourage discussions in households, communities, and media spaces, making elections more
participatory. - Cost-Effective Replicability – With models such as cinema screenings and radio broadcasts, debates can be scaled nationwide.
Moving Forward with CDC-SL
The Citizens Debate Commission – Sierra Leone (CDC-SL) is committed to institutionalizing
debates as a permanent feature of the country’s democratic process. By building on the successes of 2012 and 2018, CDC-SL aims to: – Expand debates to all constituencies in future elections. – Partner with television, radio, and cinema outlets to maximize nationwide access. – Work with
political parties to normalize intraparty and interparty debates. – Strengthen civic education so that debates continue to serve as a platform for informed decision-making.
Conclusion
The evidence is clear: debates between rival political candidates significantly improve voter
knowledge and influence electoral behavior in Sierra Leone. They make elections more issue-based, strengthen democratic accountability, and ultimately raise the performance standards of elected representatives. CDC-SL believes that by scaling debates nationwide and embedding them into Sierra Leone’s democratic culture, citizens will be empowered to make more informed choices and leaders will be compelled to serve with greater responsibility.
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