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Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has provided a comprehensive explanation of the differences between the presidential executive powers to create administrative districts and localities, and the constitutional authority of the Electoral Commission (ECSL) to delineate electoral boundaries for elections.
Dr. Blyden, in her recent address, stressed that the processes for creating administrative districts and electoral constituencies are fundamentally different, governed by distinct legal frameworks. “These are two processes which are done by totally different legal routes,” she stated.
Prior to her well-informed address, the Government of Sierra Leone had announced a significant reconfiguration of its local governance structure, including the creation of new districts and cities, as part of a broader effort to decentralize administration and improve public service delivery.
According to Dr. Blyden, the President of Sierra Leone operates under Section 4(1) of the Provinces Act {CAP60} when creating administrative districts, affirming that the process does not require the President to wait for census data.
“The President is not forced or even mandated to use Census data as a basis for the creation of administrative districts,” she explained. Instead, she said the creation of districts is influenced primarily by social, cultural, and economic factors as determined by the President.
She further elaborated that the President’s decision to create new districts is based on advice from the Cabinet. “According to the Law, a sitting President only has to listen to what his Cabinet advises him on when it comes to creating new Districts and Localities. That’s all. Nothing else,” Dr. Blyden noted.
Dr. Blyden outlined the ECSL’s role in creating electoral divisions, which is governed by a constitutional process specified in Section 38 of the 1991 Constitution. For those electoral divisions, she stated, “a National Census data is normally needed.” This data is essential for boundary delimitations for elections into constituencies and wards, ensuring that electoral processes are conducted fairly and accurately.
No wonder we are still stuck in the past when we continue to refer to terms like Governor, protectorate: substitute President for Governor-in Council
Cap 60
4. ( 1) The Governor in Council may by Order divide the Protectorate into provinces, and sub-divide provinces into districts, as he may deem most convenient for judicial and executive purposes. He may in like manner alter or vary the boundaries of any such provinces and districts as he may deem most expedient.
But I say, what’s the wisdom of creating more districts when you can hardly provide the required services.