Femi Claudius-Cole, Leader and Chairperson of the Unity Party, has strongly criticised the proposed Amendment Act of 2026, warning that it poses a serious danger to Sierra Leone’s democratic future. In a press statement issued on January 15, 2026, she described the bill as a step toward one-party rule rather than a reform that strengthens democracy.
According to Claudius-Cole, Sierra Leone’s democracy was built through painful experiences, including civil conflict, political exclusion, and abuse of power. She said any changes to the Constitution or electoral laws should aim to widen political participation, build trust in elections, and protect the will of the people. In her view, the proposed bill does the opposite.
She argued that the bill creates confusion instead of clarity in the electoral process. Provisions dealing with first-round victories, run-off elections, court petitions, and fresh elections are spread across different laws and, in some cases, contradict one another. Claudius-Cole warned that unclear laws can be just as damaging as electoral fraud, as they open the door to legal disputes, delays, and political instability.
The Unity Party leader also raised concern about what she described as “institutionalised delay.” She said the bill introduces multiple tight deadlines and procedures that could easily be exploited by losing candidates. Through repeated court actions and procedural challenges, a single candidate could delay election outcomes and keep the country in uncertainty.
Another key issue she highlighted is the power given to weak or unpopular candidates. Under the proposed changes, all candidates in an annulled election, regardless of how few votes they received, would be allowed to contest a fresh election. Claudius-Cole said this would distort democracy by giving rejected candidates excessive influence and turning them into permanent spoilers.
She described the proposed deregistration of political parties that fail to win elections as the most dangerous part of the bill. She stressed that political parties are not formed only to win power but also to educate voters, represent minority views, and shape national debate. Many parties, she noted, take years to grow. Removing them simply for losing elections would weaken opposition politics, limit voter choice, and strengthen dominant parties.
Claudius-Cole further criticised the wide discretionary powers given to regulatory bodies such as the Political Parties Regulation Commission. She said no institution should have the authority to decide which political parties are “relevant” enough to exist. That decision, she argued, belongs to the voters alone.
The act, she also argued, diminishes the role of political parties in important election decisions, such as appointments. In her view, election and not only an administrative exercise, but all elections must have political elements, especially in matters concerning important decisions.
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In her conclusion, Claudius-Cole warned of the danger of reversing gains of democracy through the Amendments Act that were proposed. She asked Sierra Leoneans not to forget their history in their quest for democracy and through which any amendments that will present a danger of concentration of power are rejected.
