The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has issued a new statement revising its earlier position on the nomination of Sierra Leone’s Chief Electoral Commissioner, emphasizing that the constitutional process remains incomplete pending parliamentary approval.
In a statement released over the weekend, the Bar said it had followed “with keen interest” consultations between the President and leaders of registered political parties, noting that 12 out of 14 parties had conveyed their approval during the consultation process conducted pursuant to Section 32(3) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991.
The SLBA stressed that the appointment can only be finalized once Parliament grants its approval and urged lawmakers to ensure that due process is followed. The statement also noted that it “supersedes” its earlier release dated February 21, 2026, effectively replacing the Bar’s previous position and signaling a more cautious stance on the ongoing process.
While the earlier statement was widely interpreted as an endorsement of the consultation process, the new release places clear emphasis on Parliament’s constitutional role, underscoring that the nomination remains subject to legislative approval before any formal appointment can take effect.
Legal observers note that under Section 32(3) of the Constitution, the President appoints the Chief Electoral Commissioner only after consulting political parties and securing parliamentary approval. Until that approval is granted, a nominee cannot lawfully assume office.
By highlighting that it “awaits the decision of Parliament” and entreating lawmakers to follow due process, the Bar Association appears to have recalibrated its position to reflect the proper constitutional sequence of nomination, approval, and appointment. The statement concluded by noting that the Association “remains seised of the matter,” invoking the legal maxim Fiat Justitia — “Let Justice Be Done.”
The nomination of a new Chief Electoral Commissioner has attracted growing public and political attention, with debate focusing on the consultation process and the timing of endorsements by various stakeholders. While most registered political parties reportedly indicated support during consultations, some opposition voices have questioned whether the process was advanced prematurely before Parliament had a chance to consider the nomination.
The SLBA’s revised statement highlights the central role of Parliament in determining whether the nomination proceeds to a formal appointment, a step widely seen as essential to the constitutional legitimacy of the country’s electoral leadership.
Parliament is expected to consider the nomination in the coming days. If lawmakers approve the nominee, the President can proceed with the formal appointment. If approval is withheld, the nomination would fail and a new candidate would have to be proposed in accordance with constitutional requirements.
For now, the SLBA says it will continue to monitor the process as it unfolds.
