Moribahamed Kamara
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Alpha Sesay Esq., has said that the future of Sierra Leone’s Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system will be determined by parliamentary votes, not political agitation.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on Thursday, January 28, 2026, Mr. Sesay explained that the PR system—currently facing criticism from the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC)—forms part of the proposed amendments to the 1991 Constitution now before Parliament.
According to the Attorney General, once parliamentary debate on the constitutional amendment bill begins, the PR system will be among the key thematic issues to be considered. He stated that if two-thirds of Members of Parliament vote in favour of retaining the PR system, it will continue to be applied in the 2028 multi-tier elections and subsequent polls.
However, Mr. Sesay noted that if Parliament fails to secure the required two-thirds majority, the issue will then be subjected to public opinion through a national referendum, in line with constitutional provisions.
The Attorney General’s remarks triggered mixed reactions from the public shortly after the briefing.
One respondent, Joseph Moriba from Bo, welcomed the inclusion of the PR system in a national constitutional debate, describing it as a democratic approach. He argued that opposition claims that the system undermines their electoral interests amount to political calculations rather than constitutional concerns.
Mr. Moriba further noted that historically, sitting governments in Sierra Leone have rarely lost parliamentary majorities, referencing the 1967 elections in which independent candidates determined the balance of power in an evenly split Parliament. He also cited the 1973 elections, during which the SLPP boycotted Parliament amid disputed results.
He maintained that the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) currently enjoys a parliamentary majority and is therefore expected to vote in line with party policy on the PR system.
Mr. Moriba added that should political power change hands in future elections, any incoming government would still retain the constitutional right to amend or abolish the PR system through due parliamentary processes.
