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Prominent political commentator and media personality Dr Sylvia Blyden has expressed concern over what she described as a potentially significant implication of a proposed amendment to Section 38(5) of Sierra Leone’s electoral laws.
In a public statement issued on Tuesday, Dr Blyden warned that the wording of the proposed amendment could, in her view, create a pathway for the President to invoke powers under Section 38A to order the use of the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system for the 2028 general elections, even if Parliament does not ultimately approve a compulsory nationwide PR arrangement.
She argued that the language being considered could have the effect of automatically expanding the President’s discretionary authority regarding the choice of electoral system.
According to Dr. Blyden, such a development would allow the Head of State to direct that elections be conducted under the PR system rather than the traditional constituency-based model.
Dr Blyden described the matter as an “urgent alert” and called for careful scrutiny of the proposed amendment. She urged citizens, lawmakers, and civil society groups to pay close attention to the legal wording and its possible constitutional consequences.
The government has not yet issued an official response to Dr. Blyden’s claims, and no formal clarification has been provided regarding the interpretation of Sections 38(5) and 38A in relation to the 2028 elections.
The debate comes amid ongoing public discussions about electoral reforms and the future of Sierra Leone’s voting system ahead of the next general elections.
