Sierra Leone High Court: Unconstitutional Constitutional Amendment

• Sierra Leone's government has passed a constitutional amendment without following due process.
• Critics argue that the amendment was done in violation of Section 108 of the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority vote for any constitutional change.
• The controversy raises concerns about the independence of Sierra Leone's electoral system and the safeguards governing amendments to the Constitution.
• The development has significant implications for electoral irregularities and the future of multiparty democracy in Sierra Leone.

The government's actions raise questions about whether Section 108 of the Constitution has been respected in practice.

A constitutional dispute has erupted in Sierra Leone, casting a shadow over the country's multiparty democracy and electoral system. At the heart of the controversy is the government's recent move to amend the 1991 Constitution without following due process. According to reports, the amendment was passed by Parliament on August 10, 2026, but critics argue that it was done in violation of Section 108 of the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority vote for any constitutional change. The dispute has sparked concerns about the independence of Sierra Leone's electoral system and the safeguards governing amendments to the Constitution.

The controversy surrounding the constitutional amendment is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader trend of erosion of democratic norms in Sierra Leone. The country's 1991 Constitution was hailed as a milestone in its transition to democracy, but over the years, there have been concerns about the government's willingness to undermine the rule of law and electoral integrity. Section 108 of the Constitution is clear: any constitutional change must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament. The government's actions raise questions about whether this provision has been respected in practice.

The implications of this development are far-reaching and worrying for Sierra Leone's democracy. If the government can unilaterally amend the Constitution without following due process, it sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law and electoral integrity. This raises serious questions about the independence of Sierra Leone's electoral system and the ability of citizens to participate in free and fair elections. Lawyers and compliance officers should be watching this development closely, as it has significant implications for electoral irregularities and the future of multiparty democracy in Sierra Leone.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential electoral irregularities and the impact on Sierra Leone's multiparty democracy, as this development raises serious questions about the independence of the country's electoral system.

Source: Original reporting via Sierra Leone Telegraph