Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698083271159.pdf (Sierra Leone)
4 th July, 2022 E-mail: sierraleoneparliament@hotmail.com/admin@parliament.gov.sl PRESS RELEASE PARLIAMENT CONTINUES DEBATES ON THE PUBLIC ELECTIONS ACT,2022 The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 30/06/2022 continued its debate on the bill entitled "The Public Elections Act 2022".

The Public Election Act 2022, seeks to repeal and replace the Public Election Act, 2022 (Act No.4 of 2012), to provide for supplementary provisions to sections 32 and 33 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 (Act No.
6 of 1991).

Before the commencement of the debate, the main opposition party in Parliament, the All People Congress (APC), objected to the continuation of the debate, citing several flows in the Bill that contravene the Constitution, and asked the House for the bill to be differed to a subsequent day, in order to allow more time to discuss what was highlighted, referencing the constitutional instrument to be laid in the House, because according to the opposition, it is the foundation of the debates.
On the other hand, the governing ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) said, the said bill before the House has no procedural wrongs, and asked the House for the bill to be debated, and promised that the constitutional instrument would be laid in the next adjourned date for the consideration and attention of MPs.

After several counter explanations by both sides of the political divides, the Hon.

Speaker called for a ten-minute consultation in his Chamber with Leaders of the House.
Upon resume, the debate continued without the participation of the main opposition MPs maintaining their position for the constitutional instrument to be laid before debates.

In the continuation of the debate, Hon.

Paul Sahr Sam said the issue of distract block system of representation is not good for democracy.

He said the best form of election is a constituency system of election and opposed to the latter.

He said the proposed Bill has discriminating clauses and has a tendency for gender biases.
He also spoke about the discrimination against dual citizens.

Hon.

Abu Kemokai said there are a lot of positive things in the Bill comparing the negative things as proposed by certain MPs.

He questioned the sincerity of certain MPs in their debate.

Hon.

Mustapha Sallu supported the Proportional Representation system, citing that it promotes national cohesion and none cost-effective.

He supported more women's representation and encouraged MPs to support the process.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally Esq.

is piloting the Bill, and debates continue.

Parliamentary and Public Relations Department Parliament of Sierra Leone +23278495023/+23276625960/+23278426851/+23278697776