Sierra LeoneSierra Leone Court Hears Vote Reform Cases
The Sierra Leone Supreme Court overruled an opposition objection on 7 October and moved ahead with cases on a bill that rewrites presidential vote rules. The bill would cut the vote share needed to win the presidency outright from 55% to 50% plus one vote.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
The Sierra Leone Supreme Court has overruled an objection from the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), and moved ahead with three related cases over a disputed constitutional bill.
The bill would change the presidential vote rules, cutting the vote share needed to win the presidency outright from 55% to 50% plus one vote. These rules would apply to the 2028 election, when President Julius Maada Bio must leave office after two terms.
A five-member panel led by Chief Justice Komba Kamanda heard the matter in Freetown, the capital. The APC says the bill never won the two-thirds majority that the 1991 Constitution demands.
Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, a former attorney-general who leads the APC’s legal team, opened with a procedural objection. He said the Attorney-General’s office had not filed its statement of case.
The exchange between Kamara and the Chief Justice turned tense, and Kamanda urged lawyers to keep professional decorum. The panel then took a short recess to weigh the point.
When the judges returned, they ruled against the APC side, clearing the way for the merger request to be heard. The court held that the defendants need not file statements in all three matters before arguing for a merger.
The court adjourned to Thursday, 8 October, at 10:00 a.m. The judges will decide whether Parliament lawfully passed election changes that would govern the 2028 race to succeed President Julius Maada Bio.
Key facts
- The Sierra Leone Supreme Court overruled an opposition objection on 7 October.
- The court moved ahead with three related cases over a disputed constitutional bill.
- The bill would cut the vote share needed to win the presidency outright from 55% to 50% plus one vote.
- The rules would apply to the 2028 election, when President Julius Maada Bio must leave office after two terms.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The court’s decision will settle whether the changes can become law. The case is being closely watched as it will impact the 2028 presidential election. The outcome is expected to be significant for the country’s political landscape.
Positive
The court’s ruling allows the case to move forward, which could lead to clarity on the presidential vote rules. This could help to ensure a smooth transition of power in 2028. The decision demonstrates the independence of the judiciary.
Negative
The opposition party, the APC, has expressed concerns about the bill, saying it never won the required two-thirds majority. The court’s decision to overrule their objection may be seen as a setback for their efforts to challenge the bill.
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