Martina Baindu Egbenda, candidate for President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), has expressed concern over reported difficulties faced by members in finalising and regularising their subscription payments ahead of the Association’s forthcoming elections.
In a statement issued on Monday, Egbenda noted that several members who have already paid their subscription fees are reportedly unable to complete the verification and regularisation process due to the alleged unavailability and limited communication from the Association’s Treasurer.
According to her, repeated attempts by affected members to reach the Treasurer through available channels have not yielded responses or clarification, a situation she described as “deeply troubling” and “unacceptable” at such a critical stage of the electoral process.
The SLBA had set 29th May 2026 as the deadline for payment and regularisation of subscription fees, a requirement necessary for members to be eligible to participate in the upcoming elections. Egbenda warned that any administrative lapses that hinder this process raise serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and equal participation.
She stressed that any action or inaction that could deny qualified members their right to vote is “undemocratic and unacceptable,” adding that the integrity of the Bar Association’s democratic processes must be preserved at all times.
Egbenda therefore called for an immediate public explanation regarding the Treasurer’s unavailability and the resulting payment challenges. She further urged the Association to establish an urgent and transparent alternative mechanism to allow affected members to complete their payment verification and regularisation without further delay.
She also called for an immediate end to any administrative practices that could frustrate participation or suppress members’ voting rights, warning that continued unresolved concerns could prompt further action.
“Should this matter remain unresolved, I will support and consider all appropriate legal and institutional measures available under the Constitution and governing framework of the Association to protect the rights and legitimate expectations of affected members,” she stated.
Egbenda encouraged members of the Bar to remain united and continue fulfilling their financial obligations through designated bank channels while efforts are made to resolve the verification challenges.
She emphasised that the Sierra Leone Bar Association exists to serve its members and uphold democratic principles, not to hinder participation in its internal processes.
