By Usman Fambuleh
Presidential candidate for the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), Martina Baindu Egbenda, has raised concerns over the recent postponement of the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections, calling for greater transparency and clarity from the Executive regarding the decision.
In a press release issued on 1 June 2026, Egbenda said she had taken note of the General Notice announcing the postponement of the AGM and elections, which were originally scheduled for 5 and 6 June 2026. The Executive attributed the postponement to “logistical and other challenges beyond the control of the Directors.”
While acknowledging the notice, Egbenda stated that members of the Association were entitled to a clear explanation of the circumstances that led to the postponement. She noted that the development was particularly significant because only a day earlier, the Association’s Public Relations Officer had publicly assured members that the Executive was fully prepared to conduct the elections.
According to Egbenda, the sudden change of position has raised questions among members regarding the administration of the electoral process. She emphasized that those entrusted with managing the affairs of the Association should provide candid answers to concerns being expressed by members.
The presidential hopeful further highlighted a section of the notice indicating that the Treasurer would use the additional period to verify membership payments and reconcile records with the bank to determine the eligibility of fully paid-up members. She argued that this admission directly relates to concerns that members had raised over the past several weeks regarding payment verification and voter eligibility.
Egbenda observed that members had repeatedly been instructed to meet strict payment deadlines because elections were imminent. She said members were consistently informed that their eligibility to vote depended on compliance with those deadlines. Given the postponement and the absence of a new election date, she questioned why members who still wished to regularize their subscriptions should be prevented from doing so.
“The question is straightforward. If the election date remains unknown, why should members who wish to pay their subscriptions and regularise their records be prevented from doing so?” she asked.
She also expressed concern over recent public statements suggesting that only fully paid-up members without arrears would be eligible to vote. According to Egbenda, the Association’s Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that only fully paid-up members are eligible to contest or vote. She therefore called on the Executive to clearly state the criteria being used to determine eligibility and the legal basis for any additional requirements.
Egbenda stressed that transparency requires rules governing participation to be clearly communicated before they are enforced. She maintained that members should not be left uncertain about the standards that will ultimately determine their right to participate in the affairs of the Association.
The SLBA presidential candidate described the postponement as an opportunity for the Executive to restore confidence in the electoral process by providing clarity on payment procedures, verification mechanisms, and measures to ensure that no member is unfairly excluded from participation.
She concluded by emphasizing that the Sierra Leone Bar Association is strongest when its processes are transparent, its decisions clearly explained, and its members treated fairly, adding that the membership deserves nothing less.
