Parliamentarians Clash Over President Bio’s PR Proposal for Executive

Hon. Hindolo Gevao of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and Hon. Abdul Karim Hamid-Kamara of the All People’s Congress (APC) have expressed differing views on President Julius Maada Bio’s proposal to extend the Proportional Representation (PR) system to the executive branch of government.

Hon. Gevao noted that unlike the PR system already included in legislation which was set aside due to the country’s inability to complete constituency delimitation this proposal is not yet part of the law. He emphasized that for it to take effect as a system of governance, it requires a national discussion.

“The President is someone who has historically valued national dialogue,” Gevao said, referencing President Bio’s efforts during the NPRC era to engage Sierra Leoneans in discussions such as those held at Bintumani One. He added that while the president has voiced support for implementing PR in the executive, no detailed explanation has been provided, and the system cannot be applied without public consultation and legislation.

Hon. Abdul Karim Hamid-Kamara of the APC, however, criticized the president’s approach, suggesting it undermines opposition input. He said that during the president’s address to Parliament, opposition members highlighted that 78 recommendations from the tripartite dialogue on political party systems had not yet been fully implemented. According to Hamid-Kamara, the president’s proposal to expand PR to the executive appeared to sideline the opposition and bypass the spirit of the tripartite dialogue.

“The intention seems to force the opposition into a corner, making them appear reckless for continuing to focus on the parliamentary system, while the president moves to expand PR to the executive,” Hamid-Kamara said. He further accused the administration of discarding fundamental principles of political consultation, citing the lack of dialogue with opposition parties during appointments, including that of electoral commissioners.

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between government proposals for political reform and calls for inclusive national consultation, with both ruling and opposition parties emphasizing the need for clarity, legislation, and respect for democratic processes.