The Leader of the Opposition in Sierra Leone’s Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has strongly rejected the appointment of Alex Pat Labib Saffa as Electoral Commissioner for the Eastern Region, citing what he described as a breach of the country’s constitutional provisions.

The rejection came during a parliamentary session in which Members of Parliament were assessing the credentials of presidential nominees. According to reports, Hon. Kargbo walked out midway through the interview process in protest over Saffa’s nomination.

In his public statement, Hon. Kargbo maintained that the appointment of a former public servant to the Electoral Commission contravenes the Constitution of Sierra Leone, which he referred to as the “grundnorm” — the supreme law of the land.

“From my own side, I will not be part of anything that will go against the grundnorm of our state, which is our constitution,” he asserted.

Despite the protest, State House has confirmed the presidential appointment of Alex Pat Labib Saffa as Electoral Commissioner for the Eastern Region in a recent press release. The Constitution of Sierra Leone mandates Parliament to vet and approve high-ranking presidential appointments, including ministers and commissioners.