Sierra Leone Constitutional Bill Proposes Major Changes to Electoral and Political System
Sahid Bangura Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay has outlined proposed constitutional changes that could reshape Sierra Leone’s electoral and political system, including a move from First-Past-The-Post to Proportional Representation.
Speaking at the Civic Day USA Edition in New York, Sesay outlined key provisions of the Constitutional Amendments Bill, which he said is awaiting Presidential Assent.
According to the Minister, the proposed reforms draw from previous national review processes, including the Justice Edmund Cowan Constitutional Review Committee, the Tripartite Committee and other constitutional reform initiatives.
Among the provisions he highlighted is a proposed transition from the First-Past-The-Post electoral system to Proportional Representation. The Bill also proposes reducing the presidential election threshold from 55 per cent to 50 per cent plus one vote.
Sesay further said the proposed legislation would require political parties to ensure that at least 30 per cent of candidates on their lists are women.
Other proposals include consideration of regional and district balance, gender equity and minority representation in presidential appointments.
The Minister also said the Bill proposes allowing Sierra Leoneans with dual citizenship to contest parliamentary elections and serve as Cabinet Ministers, subject to requirements including local tax compliance and evidence of a five-year connection to Sierra Leone.
The constitutional proposals come from processes that have previously examined reforms to Sierra Leone’s governance and electoral framework. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education has also previously reported Sesay’s public discussion of Proportional Representation and its origins in the Cowan Committee’s recommendations.
Addressing concerns over drug trafficking, Sesay told the diaspora that, in his characterization, Sierra Leone is not a narco state and said traffickers use the country as a transit point because of its geographical location.
He further said Government’s stated zero-tolerance approach had resulted in the prosecution and imprisonment of drug dealers.
Sesay’s presentation formed part of a wider discussion on governance, justice and proposed reforms during the New York Civic Day engagement.