Presidential aspirant for the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), Martina Baindu Egbenda, has called on the Association’s Executive to clarify what she describes as a discrepancy between leaked bank records and the number of members recorded through the ongoing electronic registration process ahead of the Association’s Annual General Meeting and elections.

In a statement issued on behalf of her campaign, Egbenda questioned the accuracy of the figures being circulated, noting that the Executive had previously stated that only members who paid their subscription and conference fees into the designated bank account on or before 29 May 2026 would be eligible to vote and be voted for.

According to Egbenda, a document circulating as the Association’s bank statement indicates that approximately 528 members made payments before the deadline, while updates from the Executive show that the newly introduced electronic registration system had recorded 674 registered members as of last Friday.

She said the difference of about 146 members raises concerns that require a clear explanation from the Executive to ensure confidence in the electoral process.

Egbenda also reiterated her earlier concerns about the introduction of the electronic registration system, questioning its legality, timing, and necessity, given that members had already fulfilled the established payment requirements and obtained official receipts from the Secretariat.

She argued that if payment before the 29 May deadline remains the sole basis for determining eligibility, the number of electronically registered members should correspond with the number of qualifying payments reflected in the Association’s official bank records.

The presidential candidate said if the leaked bank statement is inaccurate or fabricated, the Executive should publish the official bank statement covering the relevant period to resolve the matter. However, if the document reflects the Association’s actual records, she said members deserve an explanation for the higher number of electronically registered members.

Egbenda called on the Executive to immediately publish the official bank statement covering subscription and conference fee payments up to 29 May 2026, provide the total number of members who paid by the deadline, explain the basis for the 674 electronic registrations, and reconcile any differences between the bank records and the electronic register.

She maintained that transparency and credibility are essential for a fair election, adding that the Executive has a responsibility to remove any doubts surrounding the process by making relevant records available to members.