AYV News, July 24, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, informed the public about the recently concluded National Dialogue on the Preferred Electoral System for Sierra Leone.
The dialogue, aligned with Recommendation 78 of the Tripartite Committee Report, debated the First-Past-the-Post versus the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral systems. Political parties, including the main opposition APC, along with civil society groups, presented position papers during the session.
Minister Bah clarified the government’s stance in favor of the Proportional Representation system, which he argued promotes national cohesion, inclusion, cost savings, and violence prevention. He added that many political parties and civil society organisations agree with this position, citing its potential to enhance national development and democratic stability.
Speaking on the mandatory National Identification Number (NIN) linkage for banks and mobile numbers, Minister Bah shared updates on the Bank of Sierra Leone’s directive requiring all citizens to register and link their bank accounts with their NIN.
He said going forward, all new bank accounts must be linked to a NIN immediately, while existing account holders have until December 31, 2025, to complete the process.
He further announced that, effective October 1, 2025, the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) will begin deactivating unregistered mobile phone numbers that are not linked with NINs and that this measure aims to improve financial security, user protection, and seamless digital transactions.
Additionally, Minister Bah revealed that both commercial banks and mobile operators have been directed to enroll NIN-linked users into the National Payment Switch, a system designed to support effortless transactions between bank accounts and mobile wallets. He urged all citizens to take prompt action to comply with these regulations.
