ILRAJ Warns 2025 Constitutional Amendments Could Undermine Election Fairness

The Institute for Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) has raised concerns over the 2025 Constitutional Amendment Bill, warning that several provisions could undermine fairness, neutrality, and access in Sierra Leone’s electoral process.

In a statement, ILRAJ highlighted three key areas of concern. First, the Bill introduces new criteria for the appointment of Electoral Commissioners, including academic qualifications and age limits. While these measures are intended to professionalise the Electoral Commission, the institute warned that the absence of safeguards against partisan influence could threaten the body’s neutrality. The draft, ILRAJ noted, allows individuals with senior political party affiliations to be appointed without a mandatory “cooling-off” period.

Second, the Bill permits independent presidential candidates for the first time. However, ILRAJ cautioned that the requirement for candidates to demonstrate “sufficient financial capacity and community support” could favour wealthy individuals and marginalise ordinary citizens. The institute called for clear and equitable regulations to ensure that financial requirements do not become a barrier to democratic participation.

Third, ILRAJ expressed concern over the Bill’s provisions on judicial oversight of presidential election disputes. Under the proposed framework, petitioners are given three days to file challenges, while the Supreme Court is required to determine petitions within 14 days and may order fresh elections within 60 days. According to ILRAJ, these timelines may be too restrictive for opposition or independent candidates to gather evidence, consult legal counsel, and prepare comprehensive submissions. The institute also flagged potential risks to judicial independence, including the requirement for the Chief Justice to notify the Electoral Commission when no petition is filed.

To address these concerns, ILRAJ recommended extending the filing period for election petitions to between seven and ten days, limiting the Chief Justice’s notification role to administrative functions, and strengthening judicial independence through explicit anti-interference provisions and adequate resourcing.

ILRAJ emphasised that while efforts to professionalise the Electoral Commission and broaden electoral participation are commendable, the Bill must equally safeguard neutrality, access to justice, and fair competition to protect Sierra Leone’s democratic integrity.