Sierra Leone’s constitutional amendment debate has moved into a decisive phase, with deep divisions emerging between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) over proposed changes that could reshape the country’s electoral system ahead of the 2028 elections.
While lawmakers from both parties reached agreement on the removal of a controversial clause that would have allowed independent presidential candidates to contest elections, major disagreements remain over the proposed presidential election threshold and the future of proportional representation.
The development came during the Committee Stage of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on Monday, 3 August 2026, as Parliament continued its review of proposed reforms arising from the post-2023 electoral dispute and the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies Review.
The deleted provision sought to amend Sections 41 and 42 of the 1991 Constitution to permit individuals without political party affiliation to contest presidential elections, provided they met certain financial and community support requirements established by law.
However, concerns raised by lawmakers and sections of civil society led to the removal of the proposal, meaning presidential candidates are likely to continue contesting elections through registered political parties.
The agreement on independent candidates represents one of the few areas where the two major political parties have found common ground. However, the wider reform package continues to generate intense political debate.
At the centre of the disagreement is the Government’s proposal to reduce the presidential election victory requirement from 55 per cent to 50 per cent plus one vote.
Under the proposed amendment, a presidential candidate would need to secure a simple majority of valid votes nationwide, while also obtaining at least 20 per cent of votes in two-thirds of Sierra Leone’s districts. Failure to meet both conditions would trigger a run-off election.
Supporters of the amendment argue that the current 55 per cent threshold places unnecessary pressure on candidates and often leads to expensive second-round elections. They maintain that a candidate who wins more than half of the valid votes cast has earned a sufficient national mandate.
The APC, however, remains firmly opposed to the change, arguing that the existing threshold encourages candidates to build wider national alliances and ensures that the eventual president enjoys stronger legitimacy.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay has accused the APC leadership of changing its position on the threshold issue after earlier consultations.
According to Sesay, APC representatives had previously accepted the 50 per cent plus-one proposal as part of discussions aimed at reaching consensus on electoral reforms. He described the party’s current opposition as a departure from earlier engagements.
The APC has rejected that position, insisting that constitutional amendments of such importance must be guided by broader national consultation and consensus rather than political negotiations alone.
Beyond the presidential threshold, the proposed introduction of permanent proportional representation remains the most contentious issue before Parliament.
The draft Bill seeks to amend Section 74 and remove Section 38A provisions that currently allow the District Block system to be used under specific circumstances. The amendment would make proportional representation the permanent method for electing ordinary Members of Parliament.
The APC leadership has strongly resisted the move, arguing that it could weaken the relationship between elected representatives and their constituents.
APC National Chairman Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh maintained that Sierra Leone’s Constitution already recognises both constituency-based representation and district-block arrangements, with each designed for particular circumstances.
He argued that constituency elections provide direct accountability because voters can identify and hold individual representatives responsible for their performance.
“If nothing is broken, leave it intact,” Yansaneh stated, warning against replacing an established electoral system without sufficient national agreement.
APC Deputy Leader 1 in Parliament, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma, also argued that the District Block system was intended as a temporary solution and should not automatically become the country’s permanent electoral framework.
Supporters of proportional representation have presented a different argument, saying the system could improve inclusion, increase women and youth representation, reduce election-related tensions and eliminate the need for costly parliamentary by-elections.
The proposed reforms also include a requirement that political parties ensure that at least 30 per cent of their candidates for national and local elections are women.
The ongoing parliamentary debate is rooted in the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s disputed 2023 elections, which resulted in the signing of the Agreement for National Unity and the establishment of the Tripartite Committee.
The committee submitted 80 recommendations aimed at strengthening electoral institutions, improving transparency and reducing future political disagreements.
Political tensions surrounding electoral reform increased in 2026 after the APC temporarily boycotted Parliament over concerns regarding the appointment of a new Chief Electoral Commissioner. The party later returned following mediation and commitments to restructure the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone by December 2026.
Meanwhile, civil society and religious organisations have also weighed in on the debate, with some supporting constituency-based elections because of the direct connection they create between voters and representatives.
A March 2026 opinion poll by the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International indicated that a majority of respondents preferred constituency-based representation, while many also acknowledged limited public understanding of the proposed reforms.
As Parliament continues reviewing the amendment Bill, political parties are under pressure to find common ground on issues that could determine the shape of Sierra Leone’s democracy for years to come.
With the 2028 elections approaching, the battle over presidential thresholds, parliamentary representation and electoral accountability remains one of the most significant constitutional debates in the country’s recent history.