The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday,Februry 8, 2022,passed Into law the bill entitled “The Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2022”.
The Bill seeks to amend the Local Government Act 2004; to extend the period for local council elections from four years to five years, extend the tenure of the chairperson and councilors from four years to five years to reflect the tenure of other elective public offices; to reduce the budget costs and to provide for other related matters.
Presenting the bill prior to ratification, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr. Tamba John Sylvernus Lamina, said The Local Government Amendment Act 2022, would make local councils’ elections permanent and to be conducted in line with the general elections every five years. He highlighted the challenges presently involved in conducting local councils elections.
In his contribution to the debate, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara said the review of the voter register and boundary delimitation should not affect the local council election.
Hon. Daniel Koroma said the Bill before the House is simple and commendable, noting that, the Amendment Bill would seek local council’s election to be conducted every five year instead of four year. “We are in support of the Bill in moving the election to five years instead of four years,” he affirmed.
in his contribution to the debate, leader of C4C, Hon. Emerson Saa Lamina said the Bill is appropriate, and decried the past government and the minister that was in charged, MayarKaikai for failing to address the issues including slating an appropriate date for local council election in line with the general election. He said it is appropriate for the postponement of the local council elections to five years, disclosing that it cost government US$ 24 millon to conduct local government elections.
Hon. Francis Amara Kai Samba said the Bill is non-controversial and asked colleague MPs to support the passages of the bill.
Hon. Moses Jokie supported the bill and said the past government introduces the “four four four” system of elections and all political parties supported and participated in it.
Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition Hon. Daniel Koroma thanked the minister for slating local council elections permanent to five years.
Concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew SahrNyuma commended MPs for their contributions, and expressed that Parliament has taken the right step in the right direction. He commended the minister for strengthening democracy in asking Parliament to defer the local council elections to five years.
By Sallieu S. Kanu