1985 Sierra Leonean presidential election

1985 Sierra Leonean presidential election

←  1978 1 October 1985 1996  →

Nominee Joseph Saidu Momoh Party APC Popular vote 2,780,495 Percentage 99.85%

President before election Siaka Stevens APC Elected President Joseph Saidu Momoh APC

A referendum to confirm Joseph Saidu Momoh as president of Sierra Leone was held on 1 October 1985. ^[1] It was the country's first direct vote for president. ^[2] At the time, the country was a one-party state with the All People's Congress as the only legal party.

Momoh was named as the APC's presidential candidate after retiring president Siaka Stevens persuaded several other hopefuls to stand down. ^[3] Voters only had the option of approving or rejecting his candidacy. According to official results, 99.85% of voters confirmed Momoh in office, with just over 4,000 people voting no.

Results

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Joseph Saidu Momoh	All People's Congress	2,780,495	99.85
Against			4,096	0.15
Total			2,784,591	100.00
Source: African Elections Database

References

1. Background Note: Sierra Leone US Department of State
2. Sierra Leone Election New York Times, 2 October 1985
3. "Siaka Stevens, former prime minister and president of Sierra Leone, dies". The Washington Post . 31 May 1988.