President Dr. Julius Maada Bio delivered a major national address on Sunday, August 9, 2026, appealing directly to Members of Parliament to vote in favor of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Ahead of the upcoming parliamentary vote, President Bio framed the proposed legislation not as a party-driven initiative, but as the culmination of over two decades of nationwide consultations aimed at deepening democracy, ensuring fair electoral governance, and expanding political inclusion for all citizens. He called on parliamentarians to rise above partisan divides, declaring that their vote should be cast solely for the future of the nation.
Tracing the origins of the reform effort back to the country’s transition to peace, President Bio noted that constitutional review was a key component of both the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement and subsequent recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He highlighted how successive administrations contributed to the effort, starting with former President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah’s establishment of the Dr. Peter Tucker Review Committee and continuing under former President Ernest Bai Koroma through the 80-member Justice Edmond Cowan Review Committee. Between 2013 and 2017, the Cowan Committee conducted more than 10,000 public consultations nationwide, gathered 150 position papers, and engaged 133 stakeholder groups, creating the most extensive consultative foundation in the country’s history.
The proposed Amendment Bill incorporates several fundamental changes to the nation’s political structure, including a mandatory 30 percent constitutional quota for women in political nominations and the introduction of proportional representation. These provisions are designed to turn gender inclusion into an enforceable constitutional guarantee while opening space in governance for youth, professionals, and underrepresented groups. Additionally, the legislation seeks to strengthen the operational independence, accountability, and transparency of electoral institutions well ahead of the next general election, aligning Sierra Leone with democratic standards endorsed by the African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations.
Addressing concerns regarding the timing and interpretation of the reforms, President Bio stressed that revising electoral rules well before an election cycle prevents confusion, preserves public trust, and gives Parliament the opportunity to clarify legal ambiguities. Drawing a parallel to his role in facilitating the country’s return to civilian governance in 1996, the President concluded with a solemn appeal to lawmakers, urging them to vote “Yes” to secure a stronger, more inclusive democratic foundation for generations to come.
ABJ/APA