Post a comment 
The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has intensified efforts to encourage members to adopt its E-Registration and ID Badge system ahead of the Association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), describing the initiative as a key measure to strengthen the credibility and transparency of its electoral process.
The digital registration and identification system, developed in partnership with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), is intended to verify the identities of participants attending the AGM and distinguish eligible voting members from guests and other attendees.
According to supporters of the initiative, the system is designed to ensure that only qualified legal practitioners participate in the Association’s elections. They say the introduction of identification badges will simplify the verification process, reduce the risk of unauthorised voting and improve confidence in the integrity of the election.
Under the new arrangement, registered members will receive identification badges that can be used for instant verification at the AGM venue, replacing the reliance on traditional paper-based attendance registers. Advocates believe the system will also enable election officials and members to easily identify those eligible to cast ballots.
The campaign promoting the initiative has adopted the slogan, “If you trust the vote, trust the tag,” emphasising the importance of reliable voter verification in protecting the integrity of the Association’s democratic processes.
While acknowledging concerns raised by some members regarding data privacy and governance, supporters maintain that such issues should be addressed through appropriate safeguards without undermining the primary objective of ensuring accurate identification of eligible voters.
They argue that discussions on data management should remain separate from the operational need to verify the identities of members participating in the AGM and insist that the digital registration process is a practical step toward improving accountability and transparency.
As preparations continue for the 2026 AGM, members have been encouraged to complete the electronic registration process, wear their official identification badges and support the implementation of the verification system to help deliver a credible, orderly and transparent election.
The campaign concludes with the legal maxim, “Fiat Justitia”—“Let Justice Be Done,” reaffirming the Association’s commitment to fairness, integrity and the rule of law throughout its electoral process.
