The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) has raised concerns over the 2025 Constitutional Amendment Bill, warning that the proposed transition to Proportional Representation (PR) lacks inclusivity and clear safeguards, and could undermine public confidence in Sierra Leone’s electoral reform process.

In a statement on the Bill, ILRAJ said the reforms formally consolidate the shift from the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system to PR, following the temporary adoption of district block proportional representation during the 2023 general elections. That earlier change was justified by authorities on the grounds that security challenges made it impossible to properly delimit constituency boundaries.

Under the proposed legislation, Parliament seeks to delete Section 38A of the Constitution, removing the President’s discretionary authority to impose temporary district block PR where constituencies are not established. The Bill also amends Section 74(1)(b) to allow for a category of Members of Parliament to be elected through proportional representation, with the number to be prescribed by Parliament.

However, ILRAJ expressed concern that the Bill leaves critical elements of the PR system—including the mode of election, nomination procedures, and the conduct of PR elections—to be determined by a future Act of Parliament. The organization warned that this creates uncertainty and opens the door to potential manipulation during implementation.

Related News

ILRAJ further criticized the failure to implement Tripartite Recommendation 78, which calls for a nationally inclusive dialogue before the adoption of a permanent electoral system. According to the organization, there has been no broad-based national consultation on whether Sierra Leone should adopt PR, retain FPTP, or pursue a hybrid electoral model.

“The absence of inclusive dialogue risks the reforms being perceived as partisan and undermines public trust in the process,” ILRAJ stated, noting that electoral system changes of such magnitude require wide national consensus.

While acknowledging that proportional representation can promote inclusivity and fairer representation, ILRAJ cautioned that the manner in which the reform is being pursued could deepen political divisions rather than strengthen democratic governance.

To address these concerns, ILRAJ has called on Parliament to amend the Bill to mandate a multi-stakeholder national dialogue involving political parties, civil society organizations, and electoral experts before the PR system is finalized or any subsequent legislation is passed. The organization also recommended public hearings or a referendum to secure popular buy-in.

In addition, ILRAJ urged lawmakers to embed baseline constitutional safeguards directly into the Constitution to ensure that future legislation does not dilute or undermine the principles of proportional representation.

“Democracy requires an electoral system that is both representative and resilient,” ILRAJ noted, warning that without consultation and constitutional guarantees, the proposed reforms may fall short of that standard.

As parliamentary deliberations continue, ILRAJ’s intervention has intensified calls for lawmakers to revisit the Bill and ensure that any reform of Sierra Leone’s electoral framework is grounded in transparency, inclusivity, and public trust.