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Parliament has adjourned debate on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, until Monday, 10 August 2026, as the ruling party and opposition remain sharply divided over electoral reforms, presidential thresholds, and the legality of the legislative process itself
The House adjourned the debate after extended discussions on key provisions, including proposed changes to the electoral system, qualifications for public office, and women’s political participation. The Bill requires a two-thirds majority — approximately 99 of 149 MPs — to pass into law.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay, who piloted the Bill through its Second and Third Readings, has described the proposed reforms as a transition from “a constitution of survival to a constitution of prosperity”. He has also confirmed the removal of proposed amendments to entrenched clauses, which will instead be addressed through a broader constitutional review process culminating in a national referendum.
Among the most contested provisions are:
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Reduction of Presidential Threshold: Clause 7 proposes replacing the 55% requirement with a simple majority (50%+1) and a geographic spread condition. Civil society groups have warned this could encourage regional divisions.
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Proportional Representation: The proposed adoption of a PR electoral system has drawn criticism for potentially weakening constituency representation.
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Executive Removal: Clause 9 allows Parliament to remove a President who resigns or is expelled from his party. Critics say this undermines party accountability.
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Independent Candidates: The Bill proposes allowing independent presidential candidates to run upon demonstrating “sufficient financial capacity and community support”.
