Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2018
Published: 2/Aug/2018
Being an Act to remove the disqualification of dual citizens from contesting election as a member of Parliament and prohibiting the election and/or appointment of dual citizens as President, Vice President, and Speaker.
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ENACTED by the President and Members of Parliament in this present Parliament assembled
1. The Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 is amended by the inclusion of the words ‘including a dual citizen who acquired his Sierra Leonean citizenship by birth’ immediately before the words “(other than by naturalisation)” and by the words ‘provided he is and has been continuously resident in Sierra Leone for the previous nine months immediately preceding the date of nomination” immediately after the words “(other than by naturalisation) in section 75 (a).
2. The Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 is amended by the repeal of section 76 (1) (a).
3. The Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 is amended by the inclusion of the words “other than a dual citizen who acquired his Sierra Leonean Citizenship by birth) immediately after the words “is a citizen of Sierra Leone’ in section 41(a).
4. The Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 is amended by the inclusion of the para “(c) if he is a dual citizen or a citizen by naturalisation or registration” in section 79 (3) shall not be appointed as Minister responsible for foreign affairs, internal affairs, defence or any other ministry dealing with or relating to the security of the state”.
5. The Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 is amended by the inclusion of para “(c) If he is a dual citizen or a citizen by naturalisation or registration” in section 79 (3).
MEMORANDUM OF OBJECTS AND REASON
The object of this Bill is to remove the disqualification of dual citizens who acquired their Sierra Leonean citizenship by birth from contesting elections as a Member of Parliament, It ensures that the Constitution of Sierra Leone is in tandem with the letter and spirit of the citizenship laws of Sierra Leone including the Sierra Leone Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2006. The Bill also seeks to prohibit the election of dual citizens to the position of President, Vice President and Speaker. This is in addition to the categories listed in Section 8(5) of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act No 4 of 1973.
Hon. Chernor Maju Bah
Hon. Kendeh Kolleh Yumkella
All Members of Parliament
Freetown, Sierra Leone
DATED the […] day of […], 2018.
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Hon. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella
Member of Parliament