Sierra Leone President Urges Parliament To Approve Electoral Reform Ahead Of 2028 Election

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio has urged parliament to approve constitutional reforms that would lower the presidential victory threshold from 55% to 50% plus one vote, introduce proportional representation and establish a 30% quota for women in political leadership. The reforms have faced weeks of opposition from the APC, which argues that the existing 55% threshold provides a stronger national mandate.

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio has urged parliament to break weeks of political deadlock and pass a constitutional reform bill that would significantly change how future presidential and parliamentary elections are conducted.
In a televised address on Sunday, Bio said the proposed reforms were the result of years of consultation and engagement and urged lawmakers to approve the legislation ahead of the country's 2028 presidential election.
The reforms have become a major political issue, with the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) supporting the changes while the opposition All People's Congress (APC) has raised strong objections to key provisions.

PRESIDENT CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE APPROVAL

Bio appealed directly to lawmakers to approve the bill, saying the reforms should be considered in the interests of the country rather than individual political parties.
"I therefore make a clear and solemn appeal: let this bill be passed now," he said.
The president argued that the proposed changes would strengthen democracy, reduce political tensions and make elections less expensive and potentially safer.
However, opposition lawmakers have questioned whether changing the electoral rules so close to the next presidential contest could have political consequences.

PRESIDENTIAL VICTORY THRESHOLD TO BE LOWERED

One of the most significant changes would reduce the percentage of votes required for a presidential candidate to win outright.
Under the current system, a candidate must secure at least 55% of the vote to avoid a second-round runoff.
The proposed system would reduce the threshold to 50% plus one vote.
However, a presidential candidate would also have to win at least 20% of the vote in two-thirds of the country's districts.
If no candidate meets the requirements, a runoff would be held.
Supporters argue that the change would reduce the likelihood of costly and politically tense second-round elections.
The opposition, however, argues that the existing 55% threshold encourages presidential candidates to seek wider support across the country before winning power.

OPPOSITION FEARS LOSS OF LEGITIMACY

The APC has opposed the proposal to lower the presidential threshold.
The opposition argues that requiring a candidate to obtain 55% of the vote provides a stronger mandate and encourages candidates to build broader national coalitions.
The party's position reflects concerns that a candidate could win the presidency with a relatively narrow majority under the proposed system.
The debate has therefore moved beyond technical electoral rules and into questions about political legitimacy and the strength of a future president's mandate.

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION PROPOSED

The reform package would also introduce proportional representation for parliamentary elections.
Under such a system, legislative seats are generally allocated according to the share of votes received by political parties rather than being determined solely by individual constituency contests.
Supporters say this could allow smaller political parties and groups to gain greater representation in parliament.
The proposal could therefore change the balance of power in Sierra Leone's legislature and alter the way political parties campaign for parliamentary seats.
30% QUOTA FOR WOMEN
Another major element of the proposed reforms is a requirement for at least 30% representation of women in political leadership positions.
The measure is intended to increase women's participation in government and political decision-making.
Supporters argue that women remain underrepresented in Sierra Leone's political institutions and that a legal quota could help address the imbalance.
The reforms would also require the president to consider regional balance, gender equality and minority inclusion when making government appointments.

WHY THE REFORMS HAVE CAUSED DEADLOCK

The proposed constitutional changes have divided lawmakers for weeks.
The ruling SLPP maintains that the reforms would modernise Sierra Leone's electoral system and reduce the cost and security risks associated with presidential runoffs.
The APC, meanwhile, has resisted key elements of the package, particularly the reduction of the presidential victory threshold.
The disagreement has prevented parliament from moving quickly on the legislation, creating uncertainty over whether the proposed changes will be in place before the 2028 election.

SIERRA LEONE'S HISTORY OF POLITICAL TENSIONS

The debate takes place against the background of Sierra Leone's recent political tensions.
The country has made significant progress since the end of its devastating civil war in 2002, but elections have continued to generate intense competition between the major political parties.
The 2023 presidential election was particularly contentious.
Bio was declared the winner after securing a second term, but the APC rejected the official results and raised concerns about the conduct and transparency of the election.
International observers also called for greater transparency in the tabulation and publication of election results.
The political dispute contributed to tensions between the government and opposition, making electoral reform a particularly sensitive issue.

PREVIOUS ELECTORAL DISPUTES

The disagreements following the 2023 election eventually led to efforts to improve political dialogue and reduce tensions between the government and opposition.
The proposed constitutional reforms are therefore being presented by the government as part of a broader effort to strengthen Sierra Leone's democratic institutions.
However, opposition concerns demonstrate that agreement on the rules governing elections remains difficult.
The controversy also highlights the importance of ensuring that electoral reforms are broadly accepted by political parties before they are implemented.

WHAT THE REFORMS COULD MEAN FOR 2028

If parliament approves the bill, the changes could significantly reshape the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The lower presidential threshold could make it easier for a candidate to win in the first round, while the district requirement would ensure that a successful candidate still demonstrates a minimum level of support across the country.
Proportional representation could also change the composition of parliament by giving parties with substantial nationwide support a greater opportunity to secure legislative seats.
Meanwhile, the 30% women's quota could lead to a significant increase in female political representation.

POLITICAL STAKES REMAIN HIGH

The disagreement over the bill comes at a time when Sierra Leone's political parties are already looking towards the 2028 election.
For the ruling SLPP, the reforms could provide an opportunity to reduce the political uncertainty and security concerns associated with closely contested runoffs.
For the APC, maintaining the existing system is seen as important for ensuring that a future president has a broad electoral mandate.
The debate is therefore likely to remain politically sensitive until parliament reaches a final decision.

A TEST FOR SIERRA LEONE'S DEMOCRACY

The constitutional reform debate represents more than a disagreement over election mathematics.
It is also a test of Sierra Leone's ability to build consensus around the rules governing political competition.
Any changes to the electoral system will affect all major political parties and future presidential candidates.
For that reason, the credibility of the reform process will depend not only on whether the bill is passed but also on whether political parties and voters consider the new rules fair and transparent.
President Bio has now made his position clear: he wants parliament to approve the reforms without further delay.
The next major question is whether lawmakers can overcome their differences and agree on a new electoral framework before Sierra Leone heads towards the 2028 presidential election.