The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Friday 21st July 2017 voted for the laying of 40 Constitutional and Statutory Instruments relating to the delimitations of Constituencies and Wards in the 16-Electoral Districts (14-Provincials and 2-Western Region), including Falaba and Karene.

After the laying of these Instruments, the Right Hon. Ambassador, Speaker of Parliament, SBB Dumbuya called on “MPs to study and review these Instruments properly because they will become law after a period of 21-Days, failing to raise and address major concerns within the stipulated period”.

These Constitutional and Statutory Instruments laid will become law after a period expiring 21-Days, subject to review or amendment within the stipulated time by Members of Parliament.

The Deputy Minister of Justice, John Arrow Bockarie laid these Instruments on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joseph F. Kamara who was also in attendance with the Chief Electoral Commissioner, N’fah Alie Conteh and other Commissioners of NEC (National Electoral Commission).  

Prior to the laying of these Constitutional and Statutory Instruments, Paramount Chief Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III said that “the constituencies and wards are correct, save for spelling mistakes and language propriety, subject to corrections by NEC”.

Minority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Bernadette Lahai also said that “they had agreed for the Instruments to be laid and called on MPs to review the two documents and that major concerns will be taken to NEC for insertions”.

Acting Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Hassan Sheriff, and Deputy Majority Leader in brief implored the House “to proceed with the laying of these Instruments as indicated in the Order Paper of Parliament”.

You may recall that these Instruments earlier this year were thrown out of Parliament because they were not properly before the House.

Section 170 subsection 7a, b&c of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone provides that such orders, rules or regulations should be laid in Parliament after publication in the gazette, and will come into force after 21-Days, until otherwise annulled by votes of not less than two-thirds of Members of Parliament.

Based on the Instruments laid, the next Parliamentary Elections in March 2018 will be conducted in 132-Constituencies, with an increase of 20 on the 112 existing Constituencies for Members of Parliament.