MP Defends PR System, Calls for Civic Education and Reform

MP Defends PR System, Calls for Civic Education and Reform

Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Murray-Conteh, a Member of Parliament for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), has mounted a robust defense of the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, arguing that the model does not alter the constitutional mandate of lawmakers.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Murray-Conteh asserted that the primary obstacle to effective governance is not the electoral system itself, but a lack of civic education among the populace.

During the session on Tuesday, the lawmaker emphasized that the core responsibilities of an MP—lawmaking, representation, and oversight—remain unchanged whether elected through First-Past-the-Post or PR systems. “Let’s stop deceiving our people,” he stated, challenging critics to identify any fundamental shift in the legislative role under the new model.

A significant portion of Murray-Conteh’s contribution addressed the financial pressures faced by MPs. He criticized the public expectation that legislators should personally fund local development projects, noting that many lawmakers incur heavy debt to meet these demands. 

“The Constitution does not reduce the role of MPs to take local development projects,” he argued, warning that such expectations lead many to “die poor.”

On the controversial issue of dual citizenship, the MP advocated for inclusivity, questioning why Sierra Leoneans who have acquired foreign citizenship should be barred from serving in Parliament or government. He argued that the ability to bring investment into the country should be matched by the right to serve the people, dismissing the notion that dual nationality implies divided loyalty.

Regarding the presidency, Murray-Conteh voiced opposition to independent candidates, suggesting that the nation’s democracy requires the structure of organized political institutions to prevent “ego politics.” He also defended the 50+1 threshold for presidential elections, noting that a candidate with a majority of votes already holds the public’s confidence, and that avoiding run-offs saves vital national resources.

The lawmaker also touched upon women’s representation, calling for further constitutional measures to bolster the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act. Additionally, he urged for more transparent and consultative processes in the appointment of Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) Commissioners to ensure national unity.

The debate on the 2025 Amendment Bill continues as Parliament weighs these significant shifts in Sierra Leone’s constitutional and electoral landscape.