Parliament of Sierra Leone has today, Thursday, 8 December 2022 passed into law the contentious District Block and Proportional Representation (PR) System for the conduct of next year’s multi-tier elections.

The Press Secretary of Sierra Leone, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi made this revelation on social media.

“Today, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has passed into law the District Block and Proportional Representation (PR) System for the conduct of the June 24th 2023 multi-tier elections,” he posted.

On Wednesday 23 November 2022, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Umaru Napoleon Koroma laid before Parliament the Public Elections (District Block Proportional Representation System) Regulations 2022 and the Public Elections (Local Councils Proportional Representation System) Regulations for the purposes of next year’s general Elections.

A brawl broke out in the Well of Parliament as MPs debated the proposed change to the electoral system that allow for the PR system to be used in next year’s election. The opposition claims the move would be unconstitutional when the government backs the plan.

It thus clear that the District Block Proportional Representation System will be used in next year’s multi-tier elections having failed to be annulled by the two-third of votes require to be casted by Members of Parliament.

The June 2023 elections will see President Julius Maada Bio, who was first elected in 2018, contest a second term in office.