The Parliament of Sierra Leone has passed the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing major changes to the country’s presidential and parliamentary electoral systems.
The Bill was approved on Monday, August 10, 2026, after 97 Members of Parliament voted in favour of its enactment. It seeks to amend specific provisions of the 1991 Constitution and provide for related governance and electoral matters.
The legislation was passed by a simple majority pursuant to Section 91(1) of the 1991 Constitution. Following the vote, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, announced that he would refer a constitutional question to the Supreme Court for its legal opinion.
The referral will seek clarification on whether Section 91(1) provides the applicable procedure for altering the relevant provisions of the Constitution. The Supreme Court is expected to return its opinion to Parliament within three months.
Among the most significant provisions contained in the Bill is the reduction of the threshold for winning a presidential election from 55 per cent to 50 per cent plus one of the valid votes cast.
Under the revised arrangement, a presidential candidate must receive more than half of the valid votes to win in the first round. Supporters of the amendment believe the new threshold will simplify the election process while ensuring that the successful candidate receives majority support from voters.
The Bill also establishes Proportional Representation as the country’s electoral system for electing Members of Parliament. Under the PR system, parliamentary seats are allocated to political parties based on their share of the votes.
Supporters argue that proportional representation could broaden political participation and ensure that parties receive parliamentary representation that reflects the level of electoral support they command.
The Bill was passed amid disagreement between the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party and the main opposition All People’s Congress over the voting procedure.
APC lawmakers staged a walkout after an earlier vote resulted in 97 MPs voting in favour and 46 voting against. Most opposition representatives subsequently left the Chamber, leaving only two APC MPs to participate in the remaining proceedings.
SLPP lawmakers, Paramount Chief Members of Parliament and the two APC representatives who remained in the Chamber continued with the consideration and voting on the remaining provisions.
The opposition walkout has intensified debate over the level of political consensus surrounding the constitutional reforms. APC representatives raised concerns about the voting methodology, while supporters of the Bill maintained that Parliament acted within the provisions of the Constitution.
Another important provision addresses the participation of Sierra Leoneans holding dual citizenship in parliamentary elections.
Under the amended framework, eligible dual citizens will be permitted to contest for parliamentary seats. However, they will not be eligible to serve as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Restrictions will also prevent dual citizens from assuming presidential authority in circumstances where both the President and Vice President are absent or unable to perform their constitutional responsibilities.
The Bill further considered a proposal to establish a Search Committee for the appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner. That proposal was reversed, allowing the existing constitutional arrangement for appointing the Chief Electoral Commissioner to remain in place.
The passage of the legislation follows years of constitutional review, stakeholder consultations and political debate over Sierra Leone’s electoral and governance systems.
Proponents believe the reforms will modernize the country’s democratic framework, promote broader political participation and create clearer rules for presidential and parliamentary elections.
They also maintain that the 50+1 presidential threshold could encourage candidates to appeal to a wider section of the population and build broader national support.
The dual citizenship provision could equally open opportunities for Sierra Leoneans with international experience and professional expertise to participate more actively in national governance and policymaking.
Critics, however, continue to question the voting process, the adoption of proportional representation as the country’s sole parliamentary electoral system and the level of bipartisan agreement behind the reforms.
The Supreme Court’s opinion is therefore expected to provide important legal guidance on the procedure used to amend the relevant constitutional provisions.
The long-term impact of the amendments will depend on how they are interpreted and implemented by state institutions, political parties and electoral authorities.
The passage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill marks a major development in Sierra Leone’s democratic evolution. Its success will ultimately be measured by whether it deepens political participation, strengthens representative governance and promotes public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
