PARLIAMENT PASSES THE PUBLIC ELECTIONS ACT, 2022
After a protracted debate, for several weeks, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Wednesday 27/07/2022, passed into law, the bill entitled “The Public Elections Act, 2022”, with some amendments.
The Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Public Elections Act, 2012 (Act No.4 of 2012), to provide for supplementary provisions to Section 32 and 33 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6 of 1991).
Earlier, the Bill was debated intensively by Members of Parliament bringing out its importance and the need to strengthen the electoral laws of the state.
After the bill was committed to the Committee of the Whole House and read page after page and clause after clause, with certain contentious on certain clauses, it was resolved amicably by the Leadership of Parliament through a dialogue engagement with the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General, and Minister of Justice.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally. piloted the Bill and it was passed with amendments.
Parliamentary and Public Relations Department
Parliament of Sierra Leone
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EDITOR’S NOTE
The Bill has been approved in Parliament with the following reviewed amongst others:
1. *Clause 13(1)(a)* that provides for the *National Identification Number (NIN)* was removed and for ECSL to use the *Voter Identification Number (VIN)*.
2. *Clause 39(3)(b)* that provides for *‘the transfer of voters within 21 days of a bye-election’* was removed;
3. *Clause 55(c)* that provides for *‘Reserved Seat MPs’* was removed for contravening section 74 of the 1991 Constitution;
4. *Clauses 42(4), 56 and 103* that provide for *Fixed Date for Elections’* were removed, because the *2023 Elections Dates* have been proclaimed. There is the need, after the elections, to amend section 43 of the 1991 Constitution;
5. *Clause 57* that provides for Constituency FPTP System (section 38(3) or District Block PR System (section 38A) was removed, because it is in the 1991 Constitution and the President has the right to direct ECSL to use any of them; and
6. *Clause 59* was retained. It provides for every 3 candidates nominated by political parties, at least 1 should be female. Regulation can be created to that effect.
