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The Executive of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has defended its decision to introduce an electronic registration system for the Association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections, following concerns raised by member Ms Martina Baindu Egbenda.
In a statement, the Executive said it welcomed constructive engagement from members but noted that some claims in Ms Egbenda’s recent release were based on what it described as an incorrect interpretation of the Association’s Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A).
The Executive maintained that the decision to implement the electronic registration system falls within its mandate and is aimed at ensuring that the Association’s electoral process is conducted in a lawful, transparent, and efficient manner.
According to the statement, Articles 19, 29, and 30 of the M&A empower the Executive to manage the affairs of the Association and take necessary administrative measures to advance its objectives, except in matters specifically reserved for members at a General Meeting.
The Association stressed that the electronic registration system does not amend the M&A, introduce new membership requirements, or restrict the rights of members. Instead, it described the system as an administrative tool designed to verify eligibility, establish an accurate voter register, prevent duplication and impersonation, and ensure that eligible members participate securely in the electoral process.
The Executive further explained that the system is intended to support compliance with existing rules rather than create additional conditions for participation. It maintained that the only requirements for voting remain those outlined under Article 32 of the M&A.
Addressing concerns about transparency, the SLBA Executive said while it remains committed to openness, disclosing certain technical and security features of the system could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
It added that transparency should focus on ensuring that eligibility requirements are clearly defined, consistently applied, and verifiable, noting that the electronic system provides an auditable framework to support credible elections.
The Executive described claims that electronic registration amounts to an additional membership requirement as “misconceived,” arguing that the process is simply a means of confirming existing eligibility.
Reaffirming its commitment to good governance and credible elections, the SLBA Executive encouraged all eligible members to complete the registration process and participate in the 2026 AGM and elections, assuring members that the system is designed to promote a fair, secure, and transparent electoral process.
