By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has underscored that constitutional amendments are among the most important responsibilities of lawmakers, stressing that such reforms must transcend personalities and political parties.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Hon. Kargbo emphasized that amendments should be guided by national interest, constitutional principles, and the aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone. He noted that the process is about strengthening democracy, protecting citizens’ rights, and ensuring the Constitution continues to meet the evolving needs of the nation.
The Opposition Leader reiterated that while his party, the All People’s Congress (APC), is not opposed to constitutional reform, it will resist provisions that undermine accountability or depart from agreed recommendations. He cautioned that any amendment must secure the required two-thirds majority in Parliament and, in the case of entrenched clauses, a national referendum.
Key Provisions in the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025
The Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2025 introduces several major reforms:
Electoral Commission Reform
- Appointment of Commissioners through an independent Search and Nomination Committee including civil society, religious leaders, women’s groups, youth, media, and legal representatives.
Political Parties Regulation
- Parties must field at least 30% women candidates in national and local elections.
- Parties failing to win a parliamentary seat in two consecutive elections may be deregistered.
Electoral System Changes
- Shift from First-Past-the-Post to Proportional Representation (PR). District-based PR model: voters cast ballots for parties, seats allocated proportionally.
Clear limits on emergency powers.
- Fixed election dates every five years.
The bill stems from Tripartite Committee recommendations after the disputed 2023 elections.
The APC argues that several agreed points were omitted, particularly regarding electoral thresholds and census-based boundary delimitation.
Hon. Kargbo insists reforms must strengthen democracy while preserving direct accountability between MPs and citizens.