By Abdulai Bangura
Sierra Leone’s parliament has clarified the procedures and voting thresholds required to amend the country’s 1991 Constitution, amid public debate over the Constitutional Amendments Bill 2025.
Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh, Chairman of Parliament’s Legislative Committee, said constitutional reform follows a multi-stage process designed to ensure transparency and public participation before any amendment can become law.
Speaking to lawmakers and stakeholders, Marray-Conteh said changes to the Constitution are subject to clearly defined legislative steps, including specific voting majorities in parliament and, in some cases, approval through a national referendum.
He said the clarification was intended to dispel confusion surrounding the amendment process and to reassure the public that constitutional changes cannot be enacted without meeting the stipulated legal thresholds.
Under Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, certain entrenched provisions require approval by a two-thirds majority in parliament and endorsement through a referendum, while other sections may be amended solely through a supermajority vote in the legislature.
The Constitutional Amendments Bill 2025 has drawn attention from civil society groups and political actors, with some calling for broad consultation and transparency in the reform process.
Parliament said the amendment procedure remains governed by constitutional safeguards intended to protect democratic governance and ensure public oversight.
