Why is Sierra Leone changing its election rules?

Sierra Leone is heading into a major political and legal battle over how its future elections should be conducted. At the heart of the dispute are proposed changes to the presidential winning threshold and the system used to elect members of parliament.

The government argues the reforms would bring Sierra Leone closer to international electoral practices, reduce the costs associated with run-off elections and create opportunities for greater political inclusion. The opposition APC, however, disputes both the reforms and the way the legislation was passed and is preparing to challenge the process before the Supreme Court.

“Under the Baobab” hosts George Okachi and Mimi Mefo Newuh unpack what the changes could mean for ordinary voters and put the government’s arguments directly to Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah.

The conversation also examines political consensus, voter representation, and the bigger question at the heart of the controversy: how to reform an electoral system when trust in the process itself is contested.

Hosts: George Okachi and Mimi Mefo Newuh
Guest: Chernor Bah, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education
Vox Pops: Murtala Kamara and Claudia Anthony
Technical Production: Jan Winkelmann (Bild/Regie), Andreas Ruta-Riedel (Production Engineer), Elias Kys (Audio)
Video Editor: Christian Murk
Producers: Wanjiku Mwaura, Silja Fröhlich, Okeri Ngutjinazo, Bouba Jalloh and Eunice Wanjiru
Executive Producer: Asumpta Lattus