Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Prominent lawyer and opposition figure Ady Macauley has accused President Julius Maada Bio of violating the Constitution of Sierra Leone by appointing Alex Pat Labib Saffa as the new Electoral Commissioner for the Eastern Region without the constitutionally required consultation with all registered political parties.
In a strongly worded public statement, Macauley cited Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution, which stipulates that members of the Electoral Commission “shall be appointed by the President after consultation with the leaders of all registered political parties.”
He alleges that President Bio failed to fulfill this requirement, describing the appointment as a “blatant constitutional violation” and the beginning of what he called the “2028 rigging agenda.” Macauley warned that this move signals the start of structural manipulation of the electoral process ahead of the next general elections.
“This illegality is dead on arrival,” Macauley declared. “We will resist it through the courts and political action. Business as usual will no longer be profitable business for the Paopa regime.”
The appointment of Electoral Commissioners is a sensitive matter in Sierra Leone’s political landscape, as the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) plays a central role in organizing and overseeing elections.
Previous elections have been marred by disputes over transparency and fairness, making the composition and neutrality of the Commission a recurring concern among opposition parties and civil society groups.
While the government has yet to respond to the allegations, the issue is expected to stir further political and legal debate in the coming days.
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