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Parliament is expected to resume debate today, Monday, 3rd August 2026, on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following a heated legislative session that exposed deep divisions among lawmakers over several proposed constitutional reforms.
The debate was previously adjourned after an intense sitting that began at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, and continued until 1:56 a.m. on Wednesday, 29 July 2026. Speaker of Parliament subsequently announced that deliberations would continue as lawmakers seek to address outstanding issues surrounding the Bill.
The proposed legislation, piloted by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay, seeks to amend several aspects of Sierra Leone’s constitutional framework, drawing from recommendations of the Justice Edmond Cowan Constitutional Review Committee Report and the Tripartite Committee Recommendations.
Minister Sesay told Parliament that the reforms are aimed at strengthening democratic governance and are “not partisan, but generational.” He argued that several electoral reforms contained in the Bill are already reflected in Sierra Leone’s legal framework.
However, the debate has been dominated by disagreements between ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and opposition All People’s Congress (APC) lawmakers over three major issues.
One of the key areas of contention is the presidential election threshold. While the Bill proposes replacing the current requirement of securing 55 per cent of valid votes with a simple majority, alongside a geographic spread requirement of at least 20 per cent of votes in two-thirds of districts, some APC lawmakers have called for further consultation and broader consensus, while SLPP members have defended the proposed change as a democratic reform.
Another disputed issue is the proposed appointment procedure for the Search and Nominations Committee. APC lawmakers have raised concerns about the process and called for further scrutiny, whereas SLPP members have expressed support for the proposed arrangement.
The proposed introduction of a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system has also generated debate, with APC members opposing the change and requesting additional consultation, while SLPP lawmakers argue that the reform would strengthen Sierra Leone’s electoral and constitutional framework.
Beyond these contentious clauses, the Constitution Amendment Bill includes wide-ranging reforms covering elections, governance, political parties, security institutions, and democratic processes. The Bill also proposes a 30 per cent quota for women nominees, fixed election dates, and provisions for independent presidential candidates.
The constitutional reform process dates back more than two decades, following recommendations from the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, which called for a review of the 1991 Constitution to strengthen democratic institutions and prevent future conflict.
The Justice Edmond Cowan Constitutional Review Committee, established in 2013, conducted nationwide consultations and received more than 150 position papers before submitting its report in 2017.
As Parliament resumes debate today, lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations on the disputed provisions. The outcome of the discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the final version of the Constitution Amendment Bill before it progresses through the remaining stages of the legislative process.
