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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Political Parties
Sierra Leone, English
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, political parties may be established to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, and social and economic programmes of a national character, and to sponsor candidates for Presidential, Parliamentary or Local Government elections.
(2) The internal organisation of a political party shall conform to democratic principles, and its aims, objectives, purposes and programmes shall not contravene, or be inconsistent with, any provisions of this Constitution.
(3) A statement of the sources of income and the audited accounts of a political party, together with a statement of its assets and liabilities, shall be submitted annually to the Political Parties Registration Commission, but no such account shall be audited by a member of the political party whose account is submitted.
(4) No political party shall have as a leader a person who is not qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament.
(5) No association, by whatever name called, shall be registered or be allowed to operate or to function as a political party if the Political Parties Registration Commission is satisfied that—
a. membership or leadership of the party is restricted to members of any particular tribal or ethnic group or religious faith; or
b. the name, symbol, colour or motto of the party has exclusive or particular significance or connotation to members of any particular tribal or ethnic group or religious faith; or
c. the party is formed for the sole purpose of securing or advancing the interests and welfare of a particular tribal or ethnic group, community, geographical area or religious faith; or
d. the party does not have a registered office in each of the Provincial Headquarter towns and the Western Area.
(6) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, and in furtherance of the provisions of this section, Parliament may make laws regulating the registration, functions and operation of political parties.
(7) Any association aggrieved by a decision of the Political Parties Registration Commission under this section may appeal to the Supreme Court and the decision of the Court shall be final.
(8) For the purposes of this section the expression—
“association” includes anybody of persons, corporate or incorporate, who agree to act together for any common purpose, or an association formed for any ethnic, social, cultural, occupational or religious purpose;and
“political party” means any association registered as a political party as prescribed by subsection (5). (Sec. 35)
Political Rights and Association
Sierra Leone, English
Whereas every person in Sierra Leone is entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, has the right, whatever his race, tribe, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following—
…
b. freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association;
… (Sec. 15)
Head of State
Sierra Leone, English
(1) There shall be a President of the Republic of Sierra Leone who shall be Head of State, the supreme executive authority of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
…
(3) The President shall be the guardian of the Constitution and the guarantor of national independence and territorial integrity, and shall ensure respect for treaties and international agreements.
(4) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Constitution or any other law to the contrary, the President shall, without prejudice to any such law as may for the time being be adopted by Parliament, be responsible, in addition to the functions conferred upon him in the Constitution, for—
a. all constitutional matters concerning legislation;
... (Sec. 40)
Head of State
Sierra Leone, English
1. A Presidential candidate shall be nominated by a political party.
… (Sec. 42)
Head of State
Sierra Leone, English
No person shall be qualified for election as President unless he—
a. is a citizen of Sierra Leone;
b. is a member of a political party;
c. has attained the age of forty years; and
d. is otherwise qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament. (Sec. 41)
Legislature
Sierra Leone, English
Subject to the provisions of section 76, any person who—
a. is a citizen of Sierra Leone (otherwise than by naturalization); and
b. has attained the age of twenty-one years; and
c. is an elector whose name is on a register of electors under the Franchise and Electoral Registration Act, 1961, or under any Act of Parliament amending or replacing that Act; and
d. is able to speak and to read the English Language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to enable him to take an active part in the proceedings of Parliament,
shall be qualified for election as such a Member of Parliament:
Provided that a person who becomes a citizen of Sierra Leone by registration by law shall not be qualified for election as such a Member of Parliament or of any Local Authority unless he shall have resided continuously in Sierra Leone for twenty-five years after such registration or shall have served in the Civil or Regular Armed Services of Sierra Leone for a continuous period of twenty-five years. (Sec. 75)
Vice-President
Sierra Leone, English
(1) There shall be a Vice-President of the Republic of Sierra Leone who shall be the Principal Assistant to the President in the discharge of his executive functions.
(2) A person—
a. shall be designated a candidate for the office of Vice-President by a Presidential candidate before a Presidential election;
b. shall not be qualified to be a candidate for the office of Vice-President unless he has the qualifications specified in section 41.
(3) A candidate shall be deemed to be duly elected as Vice-President if the candidate who designated him as candidate for election to the office of Vice-President has been duly elected as President in accordance with the provisions of section 42.
… (Sec. 54)
Legislature
Sierra Leone, English
(1) There shall be a legislature of Sierra Leone which shall be known as Parliament, and shall consist of the President, the Speaker and Members of Parliament.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the legislative power of Sierra Leone is vested in Parliament.
(3) Parliament may make laws for the peace, security order and good government of Sierra Leone. (Sec. 73)
Electoral Bodies
Sierra Leone, English
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Electoral Commission shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of the registration of voters for, and of, all public elections and referenda; and for that purpose shall have power to make regulations by statutory instrument for the registration of voters, the conduct of Presidential, Parliamentary or Local Government elections and referenda, and other matters connected therewith, including regulations for voting by proxy. (Sec. 33)
Electoral Bodies
Sierra Leone, English
(1) There shall be an Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone.
… (Sec. 32)