By Joseph Momoh, Reporter
The All People’s Congress (APC), Sierra Leone’s principal opposition party, has firmly opposed government efforts to lower the presidential election victory threshold from 55% to 50%. During a rally at Attouga Minni Stadium in Freetown, APC Acting National Chairman Ambassador Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh stated that such a change poses a significant threat to the integrity of the nation’s democracy.
Yansaneh emphasized that the proposed amendment to the 1991 Constitution, which currently mandates a 55% majority for a presidential win, risks destabilizing the political landscape. “We are committed to defending democracy and the will of the people,” he asserted, warning that the APC is prepared to organize peaceful nationwide protests if the reforms proceed without broad consensus.
The controversy revolves around the 2025 Constitutional Amendment Bill, which aims to repeal the 55% requirement. As outlined in the proposed Clause 42(2)(e), a candidate could secure the presidency with a simple majority of valid votes, as long as they achieve at least 20% support in two-thirds of the districts.
Critics, including the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) and other civil society organizations, have denounced the bill for straying from the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, which suggested a formula of 50% plus one vote nationally, along with 25% support in at least half the districts. They argue that a lower threshold could enable a candidate with minimal support to claim the presidency, threatening the legitimacy of election outcomes.
In addition to addressing the threshold issue, Yansaneh called for a restructuring of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL). He proposed the establishment of a high-level oversight body, co-chaired by the APC and the government, to oversee future electoral reforms.
Yansaneh also criticized plans to implement a proportional representation system for the 2028 elections unilaterally, accusing the government of excluding vital stakeholders, including the Council of Paramount Chiefs. He pointed to the postponement of the national census as a further failure and urged international development partners to help facilitate meaningful dialogue between the government and opposition. He stressed that credible census data and inclusive consultations are essential for ensuring free and fair elections in 2028.
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