The Caretaker Body of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has issued official rules for the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections scheduled for Monday, 26 October, placing strict conditions on voter eligibility, verification of membership payments and the conduct of the ballot.
In a notice dated 25 October 2026, the Caretaker Body said only fully paid-up SLBA members who paid their subscriptions and conference fees on or before 29 May 2026 would qualify to participate in the AGM and elections.
The rules, signed by Caretaker Body Chairman Osman Kanu Esq. and Secretary Menisa Sesay, state that eligibility must be verified through bank statements or bank payment slips confirming payments made by the stipulated deadline. No other means of verification will be accepted.
The notice emphasises that the election process must comply strictly with a court order, although it does not specify the terms of that order in the document.
Voter Verification and Admission
Under the rules, every voter must appear on the verified voters’ register and present valid identification before voting. Only members whose eligibility has been confirmed in accordance with the court order will be included on the final register.
Access to the AGM venue and participation in proceedings will be restricted to members on the final eligible list, alongside invited guests and observers.
The provisions make the verification process central to determining who can participate in the association’s elections, with proof of payment and inclusion on the final register serving as key requirements.
Secret Ballot and Election Oversight
The Caretaker Body has stipulated that voting will be conducted by secret ballot, with each eligible member entitled to cast one vote for each contested position. Proxy voting will not be permitted.
The elections are to be conducted in accordance with the SLBA Memorandum and Articles of Association. Ballots will be counted transparently under the supervision of authorised election officials, while accredited representatives of candidates will be permitted to observe the counting process.
Results will be declared in accordance with the association’s governing documents and the court order.
The rules also require members to maintain order, respect election officials and refrain from interference or electoral misconduct.
Court Order at the Centre of the Process
The repeated emphasis on compliance with the court order places the legal framework governing the election at the centre of the Caretaker Body’s preparations.
However, the notice does not provide details of the court proceedings, identify the specific restrictions imposed by the court or explain whether any disputes over voter eligibility remain unresolved.
Those details would be necessary to fully assess the legal context of the election and the scope of the Caretaker Body’s authority.
A Test of Institutional Credibility
The rules establish a framework intended to regulate participation, protect ballot secrecy and ensure transparent counting. Their practical effectiveness will depend on consistent application, accurate verification of eligible members and respect for the prescribed procedures by candidates and voters.
With the AGM and elections scheduled for 26 October, the immediate focus will be on how the Caretaker Body implements the requirements and manages any challenges arising during the process.
For an association representing legal practitioners, adherence to the court order, procedural fairness and transparent administration will be particularly important in maintaining confidence in the outcome.
The Caretaker Body has called for strict compliance with the court order and issued the rules as the governing framework for the scheduled elections.
