In a recent public notice, the Sierra Leone Parliament, through the Office of the Clerk, has announced new rules and regulations governing visitor access to the precincts of Parliament.

These guidelines, effective from Thursday, October 31, 2024, are intended to enhance security within the parliamentary grounds while maintaining access for citizens and non-citizens alike.

Under the new directives, all visitors are required to dress formally and present valid identification such as a passport, national identity card, or driver’s license to gain entry into the parliamentary grounds.

Visitors must also sign a Visitors Book upon arrival and leave their identification with an officer in exchange for a visitor’s tag. Their identification will be returned when they exit and hand back the visitor’s tag.

Additionally, the notice specifies that only Ministers, Diplomats, Journalists, and Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives will be allowed to carry their phones into the parliamentary chambers. Other visitors are required to leave their phones at the main entrance, where they will be returned after their visit.

The Parliament emphasized that these new measures are not meant to restrict public access but are designed to strengthen security around the precincts.

The decision to allow CSOs to bring their phones into the chambers follows a signed agreement between Parliament and Civil Society Organizations.