Lawyers’ Society Warns Against Selective Constitutional Amendments in 2025
By: Osman Marah
The Lawyers’ Society of Sierra Leone has raised concerns over the proposed Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2025, cautioning that selective amendments to the 1991 Constitution could undermine democratic principles and good governance.
In a position paper on the proposed amendments submitted by the Office of the Attorney-General, the Society acknowledged that constitutional reforms are necessary but emphasized that such changes must be undertaken through broad-based public consultation and at an appropriate time.
The Society noted that Sierra Leoneans have awaited a new or comprehensively revised constitution for more than seven years and described the current approach focused largely on electoral reforms as inconsistent with earlier commitments to complete the constitutional review process.
Addressing the proposed amendment of Section 32 of the Constitution, the Lawyers’ Society highlighted concerns over the introduction of a Search and Nomination Committee appointed by the President to oversee appointments to the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, proposed to be renamed the National Electoral Commission.
While acknowledging that the proposal draws from recommendations of the Constitutional Review Report and the Tripartite Committee Report, the Society warned that presidential appointments could politicize the process. It recommended that institutions represented on the committee should be allowed to independently select their own representatives to ensure neutrality and public trust.
The Lawyers’ Society concluded that without a renewed constitutional vision and direction, limited amendments particularly those centred on electoral matters may fail to serve the broader interests of constitutional democracy in Sierra Leone.
