By Musa Paul Feika
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has strongly criticized a proposed amendment to Sierra Leone’s Constitution that would require a presidential candidate to secure at least 20 percent of valid votes cast in two-thirds of all districts to be declared winner, warning that the provision could permanently deny the All Peoples Congress (APC) party any chance of returning to power.
Speaking in an interview with Truth Media, Hon. Kargbo described the proposal as politically motivated, fundamentally unfair, and inconsistent with the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee that was set up to address electoral reforms following the country’s disputed 2023 general elections.
According to the opposition leader, the proposed threshold represents a deliberate attempt to redesign the electoral system in a way that disadvantages certain political parties, particularly the APC, which has historically drawn strong support from specific regions of the country.
“What this amendment is saying, in plain language, is that the APC will never come to power if this law is passed. You cannot pretend to be reforming the Constitution while inserting provisions that are clearly designed to exclude political opponents,” Hon. Kargbo said.
The constitutional amendment bill, which is currently under consideration, seeks to introduce additional requirements for a presidential victory beyond the existing framework. Critics argue that while national spread is an important democratic principle, imposing a rigid district-based vote threshold could undermine the will of the electorate and complicate the electoral process.
Hon. Kargbo further warned that the provision is prone to manipulation and abuse, especially in a political environment where trust in electoral institutions remains fragile.
“This kind of requirement opens the door for abuse,” he said. “If results in just a few districts are disputed, delayed, or manipulated, it could be enough to deny a candidate victory, regardless of how many votes they have nationwide. That is dangerous for democracy.”
The opposition leader also accused the drafters of the amendment of deviating from the work of the Tripartite Committee, which included representatives from the government, opposition parties, and international partners.
The committee was tasked with reviewing electoral processes and recommending reforms aimed at improving transparency, inclusiveness, and public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
“The Tripartite Committee did not recommend this version of the threshold,” Hon. Kargbo asserted. “What we are seeing now is a distortion of that process. The government is picking and choosing what suits its political interests and ignoring the spirit of consensus that the committee was meant to represent.”
He stressed that constitutional reforms should be guided by broad national agreement rather than partisan advantage, noting that constitutions are meant to unite citizens and guarantee fairness, not entrench the dominance of those in power.
Political analysts say the proposed amendment has the potential to significantly reshape Sierra Leone’s electoral landscape. Supporters of the provision argue that it would encourage national cohesion by ensuring that presidents enjoy widespread support across the country, rather than relying on regional strongholds. However, critics counter that such objectives can be achieved through less restrictive measures.
Civil society groups are also raising concerns about the genuine intent, the rush and transparency of the constitutional amendment process, and they are calling for wider public consultations before any changes are adopted.
Hon. Kargbo echoed those concerns, urging Parliament to slow down deliberations and engage citizens meaningfully.
“This Constitution belongs to the people of Sierra Leone, not to any single political party or government. Any attempt therefore to amend it must be inclusive, transparent, and fair. Otherwise, we risk deepening divisions and undermining our democracy,” he pointed out.
As debate over the amendment continues, the issue is expected to dominate political discourse both inside and outside Parliament. With the next general elections on the horizon, the outcome of the proposed changes could have far-reaching implications for Sierra Leone’s democratic future.
For now, the opposition has made it clear that it will resist any constitutional reform it believes threatens political pluralism and the right of voters to freely choose their leaders.