If the draft Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Constitution is endorsed at the next National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Delegates Conference, the number of delegates that used to attend their conventions will drastically reduce.

At a validation and review process of the draft SLPP Constitution at the party’s office in Koidu Town, Kono district recently, the Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Public Affairs, Hon. Philip Tetema Tondoneh took his time to read some of the amended areas that the Constitutional Review Committee have critically put together.

The meeting which attracted senior government officials including the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, former and present Members of Parliament, Zonal, Constituency. District and Regional executive officers critically looked at the draft document to ensure it reflects the voices of the people. The draft document captured the minds of party members as expressed during and after the validation and review process.

The draft document revealed that fifty (50) former Members of Parliament who were serving as delegates in national delegates conference will be reduced to ten (10). The numbers of delegates per Chiefdom will also be reduced to four. The document also stressed that the thirty percent (30%) women representation in all key positions within the party will be enforced among other issues.

The SLPP Kono District Chairman, Saffia Leslie Moiwa said they decided to engage party members to get their input into the document. He said their action is a commitment to democratic process and accountability with the party.

Moiwa disclosed that for every two delegates now in each executive one must be female. For his part, the Young Generation Leader in Kono district, Mohamed Kamara described the process as transparent and consultative.

He called on the party leadership to continue to give young people the opportunity to serve in various positions in the country. Kamara said they want an independent body to man their affairs and conduct their own election contrary to what used to be.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Committee, Umaru Napoleun Koroma said the party will soon convene a National Executive Council meeting and later National delegates Conference for the adoption of the draft party constitution.

He said they will be embarking on a nationwide tour to sensitize the people about the draft document, adding that after its approval, they will forward it to the Political Parties Regulations Commission PPRC) for gazetting and approval.

(The Committee has therefore called on party members to present their positions to the Committee which he said is ongoing)