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86-674: The ACC was established by the Anti-Corruption Act passed by the Sierra Leone Parliament in 2000 under the leadership of then Sierra Leone's president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah . It supersedes the 1960 Prevention of Corruption Act. The Head of the ACC is appointed by the president of Sierra Leone and must be confirmed by the Parliament of Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone president has the constitutional authority to sack

172-479: A political entity such as a country , nation or city on behalf of the people therein. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government . Legislatures can exist at different levels of government–national, state/provincial/regional, local, even supranational (such as the European Parliament ). Countries differ as to what extent they grant deliberative assemblies at

258-418: A quorum . Some of the responsibilities of a legislature, such as giving first consideration to newly proposed legislation, are usually delegated to committees made up of a few of the members of the chamber(s). The members of a legislature usually represent different political parties ; the members from each party generally meet as a caucus to organize their internal affairs. Legislatures vary widely in

344-634: A European African and John Ezzidio a Sierra Leonean. Both the official and unofficial members constituted the Legislative Council which was responsible for enacting Laws for the colony. But too much of executive powers were vested in the Governor. Due to riots and strikes by railway workers, more anti-colonial pressure was mounted, which led to the formation of the National Congress for West Africa in 1920 with men like F.W Dove,

430-529: A Legislative Council. It was inaugurated in 1863 but was renamed the House of Representatives in 1954. The first decade of Independence (1961 – 1971), often referred to as the golden age, was a momentous period in the country's Parliamentary evolution. When the British crown took management of the colony in 1808, no African was represented in the colony's administration; the governor, with a few white officials ruled

516-459: A Member as is referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 74, he becomes a Paramount Chief under any law or if he ceases to be qualified under any law to be registered as an elector for election of Members to Parliament or if he is adjudged to be a lunatic or declared to be of unsound mind or sentenced to death; or if he is adjudged or otherwise declared a bankrupt under any law and has not been discharged; or if he resigns from office as

602-702: A Member of Parliament by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker, or if the Office of Speaker is vacant or the Speaker is absent from Sierra Leone, to the Deputy Speaker or if he ceases to be a member of the political party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament and he so informs the Speaker, or the Speaker is so informed by the Leader of that political party or if by his conduct in Parliament by sitting and voting with members of

688-576: A Member of Parliament has become vacant. The High Court to which any question is brought under subsection (1) shall determine the said question and give judgment thereon within four months after the commencement of the proceedings before that Court. An appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeal from the decision of the High Court on any matter determined pursuant to subsection (1), save that no appeal shall lie in respect of any interlocutory decisions of

774-782: A Member of Parliament under paragraph b) of subsection (1) by reason only that he holds the office of member of a Chiefdom Council, member of a Local Court or member of anybody corporate established by or under any of the following laws, that is to say, the Freetown Municipality Act, the Chiefdom Councils Act, the Rural Area Act, the District Councils Act, the Sherbro Urban District Council Act,

860-422: A businessman and H.C Bankole Bright, a Medical Doctor. This congress demanded the following: a party-elected legislative council in each colony – this however met with failure even when the delegation was sent to London to press for action. The protectorate by then was legally regarded as a foreign country. This historic process was ongoing when the governor came to the scene by the name of Sir Ransford Slater. He

946-614: A central plank. In October 2007, Henry Joko-Smart was removed as chair, accused of not doing enough to move prosecutions forward, and replaced with human-rights lawyer Abdul Tejan-Cole . Active cases have dramatically increased from 2004. Notable 2008 prosecution targets included the former senior Sierra Leonian government Ombudsman and 12 officials of the Customs and Excise Department of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) as well as one police officer connected with

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1032-618: A different party, the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Leader of that Member's party that the Member is no longer a member of the political party under whose symbol he was elected to Parliament or if, being elected to Parliament as an independent candidate, he joins a political party in Parliament or if he accepts office as Ambassador or High Commissioner for Sierra Leone or any position with an International or Regional Organization Any Member of Parliament who has been adjudged to be

1118-664: A legislature: One of the major functions of a legislature is to discuss and debate issues of major importance to society. This activity can take place in two forms. In debating legislatures, such as the Parliament of the United Kingdom , the floor of the legislature frequently sees lively debate. In contrast, in committee-based legislatures like the United States Congress , deliberation takes place in closed committees. While legislatures have nominally

1204-400: A lunatic, declared to be of unsound mind, or sentenced to death or imprisonment, may appeal against the decision in accordance with any law provided that the decision shall not have effect until the matter has been finally determined. The High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any question whether: any person has been validly elected as a Member of Parliament and the seat of

1290-681: A member of the Armed Forces of the Republic, or a public officer, or an employee of a Public Corporation established by an Act of Parliament, or has been such a member, officer or employee within twelve months prior to the date on which he seeks to be elected to Parliament; or if under any law in force in Sierra Leone he is adjudged to be a lunatic or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind; or if he has been convicted and sentenced for an offence which involves fraud or dishonesty; or if he

1376-553: A period of six months at any one time. The President may at any time summon a meeting of Parliament. Notwithstanding the provision of subsection (1), at least twenty per centum of all the Members of Parliament may request a meeting of Parliament and the Speaker shall, within fourteen days after the receipt of that request, summon a meeting of Parliament. Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) and of Sections 29 and 84 of this Constitution, sittings of Parliament in any session after

1462-472: A session of Parliament at least once in every year, so that a period of twelve months shall not intervene between the last sitting of Parliament in one session and the first sitting thereof in the next session: Provided that there shall be a session of Parliament not later than twenty-eight days from the holding of a general election of Members of Parliament. The President shall at the beginning of each session of Parliament present to Parliament an address on

1548-679: A single member constituency. The defining parameter for the delimitation of electoral boundaries was population quota, based on the most recent census results. Up to 1967, the SLPP which was the majority in Parliament, constituted the Executive. In 1968, after the controversial 1967 elections, the All Peoples Congress (APC) commanded the majority in Parliament. Under the leadership of Siaka Stevens, The APC government undertook certain constitutional reforms that altered significantly

1634-526: A single unit is unicameral , one divided into two chambers is bicameral , and one divided into three chambers is tricameral . In bicameral legislatures, one chamber is usually considered the upper house , while the other is considered the lower house . The two types are not rigidly different, but members of upper houses tend to be indirectly elected or appointed rather than directly elected, tend to be allocated by administrative divisions rather than by population, and tend to have longer terms than members of

1720-435: Is indirectly elected within the context of a one-party state . Legislature size is a trade off between efficiency and representation; the smaller the legislature, the more efficiently it can operate, but the larger the legislature, the better it can represent the political diversity of its constituents. Comparative analysis of national legislatures has found that size of a country's lower house tends to be proportional to

1806-414: Is determined at every democratic election. The First Republic was in 1971, when Sierra Leone was officially declared a republic. The Second Republic was in 1996. The Sierra Leone Parliament has a total number of 124 MPs including the 112 elected through the first-past-the post electoral system and the 12 Paramount Chiefs, one from each of the twelve districts. This is in compliance with section 74 (1) of

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1892-412: Is elected Speaker of Parliament or if any other circumstances arise that if he were not a Member of Parliament would cause him to be disqualified for election as such under section 76, or if he ceases to be a citizen of Sierra Leone; or if he is absent from sittings of Parliament for such period and in such circumstances as may be prescribed in the rules of procedure of Parliament or if in the case of such

1978-415: Is no longer the case with the commission now pursuing cases involving past and present government officials with no favoritism or sacred cows. In November 2005, ACC head Valentine Collier was himself sacked, accused of involvement in corruption, although his defenders argue he was sacrificed by the Sierra Leone parliament to appease the British government's Department for International Development (DFID),

2064-474: Is passed by Parliament with the support of the votes of not less than two-thirds of the Members thereof, a general election shall be held on the last day of the period of six months beginning with the date of the original dissolution of the Parliament which has been recalled or such earlier date as the President shall appoint, and the Parliament that has been recalled shall be deemed to be the Parliament for

2150-479: Is under a sentence of death imposed on him by any court; or if in the case of the election of such member as is referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 74, he is for the time being a Paramount Chief under any law; or if being a person possessed of professional qualifications, he is disqualified (otherwise than at his own request) from practicing his profession in Sierra Leone by order of any competent authority made in respect of him personally within

2236-664: The Americas have more independence in drafting and amending bills. The origins of the power of the purse which legislatures typically have in passing or denying government budgets goes back to the European assemblies of nobility which the monarchs would have to consult before raising taxes. For this power to be actually effective, the legislature should be able to amend the budget, have an effective committee system, enough time for consideration, as well as access to relevant background information. There are several ways in which

2322-714: The European Union . The upper house may either contain the delegates of state governments – as in the European Union and in Germany and, before 1913, in the United States  – or be elected according to a formula that grants equal representation to states with smaller populations, as is the case in Australia and the United States since 1913. Tricameral legislatures are rare;

2408-497: The Federal Parliament of Somalia ) tied for least powerful. Some political systems follows the principle of legislative supremacy , which holds that the legislature is the supreme branch of government and cannot be bound by other institutions, such as the judicial branch or a written constitution . Such a system renders the legislature more powerful. In parliamentary and semi-presidential systems of government ,

2494-673: The Massachusetts Governor's Council still exists, but the most recent national example existed in the waning years of White-minority rule in South Africa . Tetracameral legislatures no longer exist, but they were previously used in Scandinavia. The only legislature with a number of chambers bigger than four was the Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia ; initially established as a Pentacameral body in 1963, it

2580-459: The Proclamation, as may be specified therein; the President shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (16) of section 29, cause to be introduced in Parliament as soon as it meets, a resolution declaring that a state of Public Emergency exists and subject as aforesaid, no other business shall be transacted in Parliament until that resolution has been passed or defeated; if the resolution

2666-401: The executive is responsible to the legislature, which may remove it with a vote of no confidence . On the other hand, according to the separation of powers doctrine, the legislature in a presidential system is considered an independent and coequal branch of government along with both the judiciary and the executive. Nevertheless, many presidential systems provide for the impeachment of

Sierra Leone Anti-corruption Commission - Misplaced Pages Continue

2752-652: The 14 rural districts. The parliament is led by the Speaker of the House ; the position is currently held by Abass Bundu of the Sierra Leone People's Party . The current elected 135 ordinary members of parliament are composed of members of the All People's Congress and the Sierra Leone People's Party which are the two largest political parties in Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone Parliament, like its counterparts in other former British colonies, began as

2838-582: The 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and in line with tradition inherited from colonial rule. This constitutional provision states that each district in Sierra Leone shall have one Paramount Chief Representation, elected through a separate election. The parliamentary representation of the three parties in Parliament in the Third Parliament (2007-2012) was as follows: APC (59), SLPP (45) PMDC (10), Paramount Chiefs (12), and 16 women parliamentarians as against 108 male Members. The Sixth Parliament of

2924-460: The ACC Head at any time. The ACC was established following the 1990s civil war to investigate rampant corruption in public agencies, then beginning to receive renewed foreign investment. The 2000 Anti-Corruption Act established the ACC as an independent commission to investigate government corruption. The ACC was partially funded and staffed by foreign (mostly British ) experts, although in 2007

3010-518: The ACC for not being committed to the fight against corruption has changed with the change in government in 2018. With a new commitment from President Julius Maada Bio , considerable efforts have been made aimed at corruption control and the country has repositioned itself to more robustly deal with corruption. One foreign commentator accused the pre-2004 ACC in a World Bank study of being a "Phoney" reform organisation, created to "appease foreign donors" but not effectively fight government corruption. This

3096-558: The ACC's primary funder. In 2005, its power to prosecute was removed from the office of the Sierra Leone Attorney General, and given to an independent three person body. In early 2008, the commission's powers were again amended to give it direct arrest and prosecutorial powers following the electoral victory of President Ernest Bai Koroma in September 2007 on a platform that made new anti-corruption actions

3182-614: The Bo Town Council Act, and the Townships Act or any law amending or replacing any of those laws. Save as otherwise provided by Parliament, a person shall not be disqualified from being a Member of Parliament by reason only that he holds office as a member of a Statutory Corporation. A Member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament: on the dissolution of Parliament next following his election or if he

3268-656: The British colonial authorities to put in place Legislative and Executive Councils. However, these two councils were established; the executive and the legislative councils. The Executive Council constituted the following: the Governor, the Chief Justice, Queen's Advocate (Attorney-General), Colony Secretary, and the Officer Commanding Troops. These were known as the Official Members. The unofficial members were known as Charles Heddle,

3354-473: The British government withdrew support claiming the ACC were not given broad enough powers. Its first major action was to order the arrest of Sierra Leone's Minister of Transport and Communications Momoh Pujeh and his wife for involvement in the illegal diamond trade which funded much of the Civil War. Corruption is seen as a generalised problem of huge proportions in Sierra Leone, and a contributing factor to

3440-510: The British set-up of the Sierra Leone Parliament. In 1971, Sierra Leone assumed a republican status with an Executive Presidency that doubled as Head of State and Government. Parliament was most profoundly affected by this constitutional adjustment. The implication was that the Parliament would no longer be involved in the formation of the Executive. They became two separate arms of government. Also, in 1978, Sierra Leone

3526-504: The Civil or Regular Armed Services of Sierra Leone for a continuous period of twenty-five years. No person shall be qualified for election as a Member of Parliament: if he is a naturalised citizen of Sierra Leone or is a citizen of a country other than Sierra Leone having become such a citizen voluntarily or is under a declaration of allegiance to such a country; or if he is a member of any Commission established under this Constitution, or

Sierra Leone Anti-corruption Commission - Misplaced Pages Continue

3612-434: The High Court in such proceedings. The Court of Appeal before which an appeal is brought pursuant to subsection (3) shall determine the appeal and give judgment thereon within four months after the appeal was filed. The decision of the Court of Appeal on any matter pursuant to subsection (3) shall be final and not be inquired into by any Court. For the purpose of this section Parliament may make provision, or may authorise

3698-599: The Legislative Assembly. In 1951 further constitutional development was made by Governor Beresford Stoke, which increased the Paramount Chiefs representation in the Legislative assembly to 12, one, for each district, a practice that prevails today. In the SLPP victory in 1951 election, some members were appointed to the Executive council. In 1954, The leader of the party Sir Milton Margai

3784-612: The NRA. In 2010 Tejan-Cole stepped down to become the executive director of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa. The story of the Anti-Corruption Commission has been different since June 2018 with the change in leadership not just for the commission but also for the country. Prosecutions and investigations now cover the high and low including current and past government officials, the judiciary,

3870-406: The Parliament that has been recalled shall then be again dissolved and a general election shall be held not later than the ninetieth day after the date of the Proclamation by which the Parliament was so recalled or such earlier date as the President may by Proclamation appoint. Legislative branch A legislature is a deliberative assembly with the legal authority to make laws for

3956-402: The President considers that owing to the existence of a state of public emergency it would not be practicable to hold a general election within ninety days after the dissolution, the President may by Proclamation recall the Parliament that has been dissolved and the following provisions shall then have effect: the Parliament shall meet at such date, not later than fourteen days after the date of

4042-562: The Second Republic of Sierra Leone comprises the SLPP (81) and APC (54) seats with a total of 14 Paramount Chiefs. 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. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, the legislative power of Sierra Leone is vested in Parliament. Parliament may make laws for

4128-466: The Secretary of State for Colonies served as pressure, calling for a new constitution and an elected assembly for Sierra Leone. In the 1863 Constitution, the legislature was reorganized and inaugurated but with no provision made for popular representation. The current Sierra Leone Parliament owes its origin to colonial constitutional developments dating as far back as to 1863 when attempts were made by

4214-702: The amount of political power they wield, compared to other political players such as judiciaries , militaries , and executives . In 2009, political scientists M. Steven Fish and Matthew Kroenig constructed a Parliamentary powers index in an attempt to quantify the different degrees of power among national legislatures. The German Bundestag , the Italian Parliament , and the Mongolian State Great Khural tied for most powerful, while Myanmar's House of Representatives and Somalia's Transitional Federal Assembly (since replaced by

4300-540: The approval of Parliament signified by resolution of Parliament, may prescribe.” “Every constituency established under this section shall return one Member of Parliament.” The present Parliament is referred to as the Fourth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone. This means that it is the Fourth Parliament since the restoration of constitutional rule in 1996. The first was in 1996, second, 2002, third, 2007 and fourth, 2012. The change of parliaments

4386-568: The colony by a body known as the Governor's Advisory Council. By the mid-nineteenth century, the Creoles were determined to have a say in government. A Committee of Correspondence, constituting a group of Creole businessmen was formed in 1853, and was later replaced by the Mercantile Association in 1858 with the primary objective of securing the right of political representation for Colony citizens. Petitions and newspapers to

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4472-517: The commencement of that session shall be held at such times and on such days as Parliament shall appoint. Parliament shall sit for a period of not less than one hundred and twenty days in each year. A general election of the Members of Parliament shall be held not earlier than thirty days and not later than ninety days after any dissolution of Parliament: Provided that nominations for such elections shall in no case be closed within fourteen days after dissolution. If, when Parliament has been dissolved,

4558-586: The commission is becoming the model of the fight against corruption in Africa with a lot to be hopeful about. The current head of the ACC is Francis Ben Kaifala. Parliament of Sierra Leone Parliament of Sierra Leone is the legislative branch of the government of Sierra Leone . It is principally responsible for making laws. The Sierra Leone parliament consists of 149 members, of which 135 members are directly elected from across Sierra Leone's 16 districts , while 14 are paramount chiefs appointed from

4644-835: The country. Among the earliest recognised formal legislatures was the Athenian Ecclesia . In the Middle Ages , European monarchs would host assemblies of the nobility, which would later develop into predecessors of modern legislatures. These were often named the Estates . The oldest surviving legislature is the Icelandic Althing , founded in 930 CE. Democratic legislatures have six major functions: representation, deliberation, legislation, authorizing expenditure, making governments, and oversight. There exist five ways that representation can be achieved in

4730-403: The duration of their entire term, or for just those related to their legislative duties. A legislature may debate and vote upon bills as a single unit, or it may be composed of multiple separate assemblies , called by various names including legislative chambers , debate chambers , and houses , which debate and vote separately and have distinct powers. A legislature which operates as

4816-497: The electoral system saw the first litmus test of the spirit and intent of the 1991 Constitution (Act No.6 of 1991). Section 38 (1) and (2) of the 1991 Constitution explicitly states that: “Sierra Leone shall be divided into such constituencies for the purpose of electing the Members of Parliament referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section (74) of this Constitution as the Electoral Commission, acting with

4902-421: The executive are also used, particularly for bicameral legislatures featuring an upper house . The name used to refer to a legislative body varies by country. Common names include: By names: By languages: Though the specific roles for each legislature differ by location, they all aim to serve the same purpose of appointing officials to represent their citizens to determine appropriate legislation for

4988-406: The executive for criminal or unconstitutional behaviour. Legislatures will sometimes delegate their legislative power to administrative or executive agencies . Legislatures are made up of individual members, known as legislators , who vote on proposed laws. A legislature usually contains a fixed number of legislators; because legislatures usually meet in a specific room filled with seats for

5074-504: The former. Thus, from 1978 – 1992, the Sierra Leone Parliament was without an official opposition. In 1992, the APC Government was toppled by the military. Sierra Leone was ushered into another period of military rule during which the activities of Parliament were indefinitely suspended. The legislative role of Parliament was substituted with the passing of decrees by a military council. The period of inactivity by Parliament

5160-519: The hearing of appeals from the High Court. Every Member of Parliament shall, before taking his seat in Parliament, take and subscribe before Parliament the oath as set out in the Third Schedule, but a Member may, before taking that oath, take part in the election of a Speaker. Each session in Parliament shall be held at such place within Sierra Leone and shall commence at such time as the President may be Proclamation appoint. There shall be

5246-418: The immediately preceding five years of an election held in pursuance of section 87;or if he is for the time being the President, the vice-president, a Minister or a Deputy Minister under the provisions of this Constitution A person shall not be qualified for election to Parliament if he is convicted by any court of any offence connected with the election of Members of Parliament: Provided that in any such case

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5332-446: The legislators, this is often described as the number of "seats" it contains. For example, a legislature that has 100 "seats" has 100 members. By extension, an electoral district that elects a single legislator can also be described as a "seat", as, for example, in the phrases " safe seat " and " marginal seat ". After election, the members may be protected by parliamentary immunity or parliamentary privilege , either for all actions

5418-436: The legislature can hold the executive branch (the administration or government) accountable. This can be done through hearings, questioning , interpellations , votes of confidence , the formation of committees. Parliaments are usually ensured with upholding the rule of law, verifying that public funds are used accountably and efficiently as well as make government processes transparent and actions so that they can be debated by

5504-540: The legislature was increased to 21 with 3 (three) paramount chiefs. From the 21 Members, 11 were appointed by the Government added to 10 unofficial Members. Out of the 10 unofficial Members, were 5 Colony Representatives elected from among the educated Creole elites and the 3 Paramount Chiefs from the Protectorate nominated by the Governor. This registered a significant development for African representation in

5590-406: The lower house. In some systems, particularly parliamentary systems , the upper house has less power and tends to have a more advisory role, but in others, particularly federal presidential systems , the upper house has equal or even greater power. In federations , the upper house typically represents the federation's component states. This is also the case with the supranational legislature of

5676-402: The making of provisions with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court or the Court of Appeal, and may confer upon such Courts such powers or may authorise the conferment thereon of such powers as may appear to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the said Courts effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon them by this section or by any law relating to

5762-554: The outbreak and continuation of the bloody civil war which destroyed the nation. As late as 2007, the government itself admitted that entire ministries failed to produce any work, as their entire budgets were being diverted through corruption. A BBC journalist interviewed the Foreign Minister in 2007 and found that her office toilets were never connected to water sources as construction contractors failed to carry out jobs for which they were paid. The hitherto accusation against

5848-457: The peace, security, order and good government of Sierra Leone. Members of Parliament shall comprise the following: one Member of Parliament for each Constituency/District who shall, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, be elected in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law from among the persons who, under any law, are for the time being Paramount Chiefs; and such number of Members as Parliament may prescribe who, subject to

5934-507: The period of disqualification shall not exceed a period of five years from the date of the general election following the one for which he was disqualified. Any person who is the holder of any office the functions of which involve responsibility for, or in connection with, the conduct of any election to Parliament or the compilation of any register of voters for the purposes of such an election shall not be qualified for election to Parliament. A person shall not be disqualified for election as

6020-756: The police, the private sector, the revenue generating bodies, the educational sector and even the Presidency. High Profile cases include those against the Former Vice President Victor Foh, the former Head of the National Revenue Authority Haja Kallah Kamara, Former head of the National Maritime Administration, the current Minister of Labour Alpha Timbo, and many others. These new developments are encouraging as

6106-399: 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

6192-594: The provisions of section 76, any person who: is a citizen of Sierra Leone (otherwise than by naturalization); and has attained the age of twenty-one years; and 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 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

6278-699: The provisions of this Constitution, shall be elected in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law. The number of Members of Parliament to be elected pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection(1) shall not together be less than sixty. In any election of Members of Parliament the votes of the electors shall be given by ballot in such manner as not to disclose how any particular elector votes. Members of Parliament shall be entitled to such salaries, allowances, gratuities, pensions and such other benefits as may be prescribed by Parliament. Qualifications for Membership in Parliament Subject to

6364-488: The public and its representatives. Agora notes that parliamentary systems or political parties in which political leaders can influence or decide which members receive top jobs can lead to passivity amongst members of the party and less challenging of leadership. Agora notes that this phenomenon is acute if the election of a member is dependant on the support of political leadership. In contrast to democratic systems, legislatures under authoritarianism are used to ensure

6450-411: The sole power to create laws, the substantive extent of this power depends on details of the political system. In Westminster-style legislatures the executive (composed of the cabinet) can essentially pass any laws it wants, as it usually has a majority of legislators behind it, kept in check by the party whip, while committee-based legislatures in continental Europe and those in presidential systems of

6536-400: The stability of the power structure by co-opting potential competing interests within the elites, which they achieve by: Each chamber of the legislature consists of a number of legislators who use some form of parliamentary procedure to debate political issues and vote on proposed legislation. There must be a certain number of legislators present to carry out these activities; this is called

6622-476: The state of the nation. Parliament shall stand dissolved at the expiration of a period of five years commencing from the date of its first sitting after a general election. If there is an existence, a state of public emergency in accordance with section 29 of this Constitution and the President considers it not practicable to hold elections, Parliament may, by resolution, extend the period of five years mentioned in subsection (1) from time to time but not beyond

6708-442: The subnational law-making power, as opposed to purely administrative responsibilities. Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known as primary legislation. In addition, legislatures may observe and steer governing actions, with authority to amend the budget involved. The members of a legislature are called legislators. In a democracy, legislators are most commonly popularly elected , although indirect election and appointment by

6794-408: The time being and may meet and be kept in session accordingly until the date fixed for nomination of candidates in that general election, and unless previously dissolved, shall then stand dissolved; if the resolution is defeated or is passed with the support of the votes of less than two-thirds of the Members of Parliament or has not been put to the vote within five days after it has been introduced,

6880-634: Was adopted to elect Members of Parliament in 1996. It was the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system where parties rather than constituencies, determined election to parliamentary representation. In 2002, the PR system of election was replaced by the District Block Electoral System (DBS). Both electoral systems did not adequately obligate MPs to their constituents as popularity within their parties

6966-429: Was brought to an end with the restoration of constitutionality in 1996. The military yielded to pressure from within and without to return the state to civilian rule under a system of multiparty democracy. There was however a review of the electoral system to determine membership in Parliament. The war inhibited the conduct of a census to determine the redistribution of constituencies. An ad hoc electoral arrangement

7052-655: Was made Chief Minister and the other members of the council became ministers. After independence in 1961, Sierra Leone Parliament continued to evolve. It became a completely elected body. By then the office was located at the mechanized section of the Treasury Building, located at George Street in Freetown which was our first parliamentary building. Apart from the Paramount Chiefs that were indirectly elected through an Electoral College System, all Members of Parliament were elected by an electoral system, based on

7138-474: Was more important than popularity among constituents or the people. The 2007 elections in Sierra Leone have been widely acclaimed as having been historical and significant in several senses, including their conduct along the lines of the first-past-the post-electoral system. The elections registered the reintroduction of the constituency electoral system that was interrupted by the exigencies of war between 1991 and 2002. The current Parliament that emerged from

7224-428: Was prepared to concede to the demand for popular representation but to him it was absurd to have a legislator for both colony and protectorate. To satisfy their demands, Governor Slater planned a new constitution in 1924 which conceded the elective principles for the colony, with some protectorate representation by chiefs. Under the tribal system no other would have adequate title to speak with authority. Membership of

7310-488: Was transformed into a one-party state. This meant that Parliament was dominated by a single party. The APC became the only political party that was constitutionally recognized. All other parties were disbanded. Members of Parliament from the opposition SLPP had only two options amidst this constitutional change. They were to either switch allegiance to the APC and remain in Parliament or resign their seats. Most of them chose

7396-519: Was turned into a hexacameral body in 1967. Legislatures vary widely in their size. Among national legislatures , China's National People's Congress is the largest with 2,980 members, while Vatican City 's Pontifical Commission is the smallest with 7. Neither legislature is democratically elected: The Pontifical Commission members are appointed by the Pope and the National People's Congress

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