Sierra Leone: Bio calls for inclusive electoral reforms before 2028

The head of state identified strengthening electoral institutions, ensuring the credibility of voter registration, enhancing transparency in result management, and improving the effectiveness of electoral dispute resolution as key priorities.

Julius Maada Bio requested that these reforms be carried out within a national process, as electoral rules have been the subject of intense political debate in recent weeks.

In August, Parliament approved a controversial constitutional reform that notably lowers the national threshold required to win the presidency and introduces proportional representation for legislative elections. Members of the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress, had walked out of the chamber during the vote.

The legislation also includes a 30% quota for women in political leadership positions. To avoid a second round in the presidential election, a candidate must also secure at least 20% of the votes in two-thirds of the districts.

During the meeting in Freetown, President Bio also linked the electoral process to the goal of national reconciliation and urged political leaders to reject violence, intolerance, and regional divisions.