Parliament adjourns Debate on Constitutional Amendment Bill to July 31
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has adjourned debate on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to Friday, 31st July 2026, when lawmakers will resume deliberations.
The marathon debate began at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 28th July and concluded at 1:56 a.m. on Wednesday, 29th July, following intense exchanges between ruling and opposition Members of Parliament.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay, who piloted the Bill through its Second and Third Readings, said the proposed reforms are based on the Justice Edmond Cowan Constitutional Review Committee Report and the Tripartite Committee Recommendations.
He maintained that the electoral provisions are already reflected in Sierra Leone’s legal framework, describing the Bill as “not partisan, but generational.”
The proposed legislation seeks to introduce significant constitutional reforms covering elections, governance, political parties, security institutions, and Sierra Leone’s democratic framework, as part of the ongoing review of the 1991 Constitution.
Debate resumes on Friday, 31st July 2026 at 10:00 a.m according to the Speaker of Parliament.
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WHAT IS AT STAKE
Details of the constitutional amendments are as follows 👇👇👇
1. Presidential Election Threshold: The first-round victory requirement shifts from 55% to a simple majority (50%+1), with at least 20% of votes in two-thirds of the country’s voting districts.
2. Electoral System: Move from First-Past-The-Post (constituency-based) to Proportional Representation, eliminating by-elections.
3. Removal of President and Vice President: Parliament, by a two-thirds majority, would be the sole body empowered to remove a sitting President or Vice-President who has been expelled from the party under which they were elected.
4. Appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner: The President will not directly appoint the Chief Electoral Commissioner; instead, a Search and Nomination Committee will nominate the commissioner, who must meet specified requirements.
5. Fixed date for general elections: General elections will be held on the second Saturday of November in every election year.
6. Women Representation: At least 30% of a political party’s nominees for national and local government elections must be women.
7. Independent Presidential Candidates: Independent candidates may contest the presidency; candidates are no longer required to run under a political party if they meet the presidential eligibility criteria.
8. Time to resign to contest Parliament: The period to resign from any public office in order to contest a seat in Parliament is reduced from 12 months to 6 months.
9. Petitioning election results: The window to file a petition in the Supreme Court against election results is reduced from seven days to three days after results are announced.
10. Dual Citizenship: Certain categories of dual citizens are disqualified from holding the offices of President, Vice President, or Speaker of Parliament.
11. Presidential Transition Limits: After an election, outgoing presidents would be restricted from making major public appointments, signing major contracts, or pursuing significant institutional changes.
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We had a sleepless night and here we are again, eyes on Friday.
Our MPs showed remarkable resilience yesterday. Whatever side they stood on, one thing was clear: the stakes are high, and they came prepared to defend their positions.
It was an interesting debate. Parliament reflected just how deeply divided opinions are on the future of our electoral system.
Zooming in on the Proportional Representation (PR) and First-Past-the-Post debate (FPTP).
It is unfortunate that what should be a serious national conversation has, over time, been reduced to an APC vs. SLPP contest. Support PR? You’re labelled SLPP. Support FPTP? You’re branded APC.
The reality is, many Sierra Leoneans hold genuine positions on both sides of this debate. Their views are shaped from experience, and what they believe is best for the country’s democracy (norto pass party loyalty.)
Yesterday’s discussions, both in Parliament and across social media, reminded us how quickly labels replace genuine conversations. Disagreeing should never be mistaken for belonging.
What I deduced from the debate in Parliament, MPs were listening each other’s submission to defend. Rather than taking the good from the submissions and think of a common-ground. Hence, hybrid considerations was totally missing from the conversation (nobody nor gree bow).
Ouch!!! Did I hear the debate was a people centered one?
Anyway, we will continue to follow the process religiously. After all, the future of our democracy deserves more thoughtful engagement and a people centered one.
Badriatu Turay
#constitutionalamendment2025
#PutSaloneFos
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