Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., has stated that the adoption of the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system has saved the country an estimated NLe20 million by eliminating the need for parliamentary by-elections.
The disclosure has since drawn mixed reactions from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party.
Sesay explained that under the PR system, vacant parliamentary seats are filled through party lists rather than by costly by-elections, which were common under the former constituency-based electoral arrangement. He described the savings as a significant gain for public finance and electoral efficiency.
Beyond electoral costs, the Attorney General said the ongoing constitutional reform process embeds justiciable rights, including women’s rights, healthcare and education, while also proposing to allow independent candidates to contest the presidency under defined conditions.
Members of the ruling SLPP have welcomed the Attorney General’s position, arguing that the PR system has reduced election-related tensions and financial waste. SLPP supporters say the system promotes inclusivity, improves representation and allows the state to redirect limited resources toward development priorities.
An SLPP lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity said the reforms demonstrate government’s commitment to strengthening democratic governance while ensuring fiscal responsibility. “Saving millions in by-election costs is not just about money, but about stability and efficient governance,” the lawmaker said.
However, the APC has maintained a cautious stance. While acknowledging the financial savings cited by government, the opposition party continues to express reservations about the broader political implications of the PR system.
APC officials argue that the system weakens direct voter–representative accountability and limits citizens’ ability to choose individual candidates. The party has repeatedly called for comprehensive consultations and consensus before any decision is taken to retain or expand the PR system in future elections.
On constitutional reforms, the APC has welcomed the strengthening of justiciable rights but insists that reforms must not be used to consolidate executive power or undermine electoral fairness. The party has also called for clarity on the conditions under which independent candidates would be allowed to contest the presidency, warning against provisions that could be selectively applied.
Political analysts say the contrasting reactions highlight the ongoing tension between cost-efficiency and democratic accountability in Sierra Leone’s electoral reform debate. They note that while the SLPP emphasises stability and savings, the APC’s concerns reflect broader public questions about representation and transparency.
