(In Line with Recommendation 78 of the Tripartite Report)
27 June 2025 | Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone
The third regional consultation on Sierra Leone’s electoral reform was held in Kenema on Friday, bringing together participants from the Eastern Region—Kono, Kailahun, and Kenema.
The discussion is part of ongoing nationwide consultations on Recommendation 78 of the Tripartite Report, which calls for public input on the country’s preferred electoral system: Proportional Representation (PR) or First-Past-the-Post (FPTP).
In his opening remarks, Jusu Jaka Ngobeh, Resident Minister for the Eastern Region, encouraged participants to engage openly and without fear.
“We are here to talk about elections, talk about governance, and talk about democracy. I urge you all to talk about an electoral preference that characterizes our democracy. So without hesitation or fear, this consultation is open, transparent, and credible. Let us make an electoral choice that supports political inclusion, satisfies minority interest, and prevents electoral violence in our elections,” he said.
The consultation in Kenema was marked by calm and thoughtful discussions. Participants engaged in open, smooth, and interactive conversations, reflecting a clear understanding of the two electoral systems. Many expressed a preference for one over the other, though opinions varied within the group.
The Eastern Region’s session was the third in a series of public dialogues intended to guide the nation’s choice of electoral system.
The next consultation is scheduled for 28 June 2025 in Bo, covering the Southern Region.
The regional meetings are being organised by the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney-General, with funding from the Government of Sierra Leone and the European Union in Sierra Leone, facilitated through International IDEA Africa.
