A former student activist and retired senior police officer, Mohamed El Tayyib-Bah, has called for the adoption of a Proportional Representation (PR) system at the executive level of governance in Sierra Leone, describing the current winner-takes-all system as harmful to national unity and democratic stability.
Speaking during an extraordinary press conference held at the conference hall of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists on Campbell Street in Freetown, Mr. El Tayyib-Bah declared his strong opposition to the existing electoral structure, arguing that it fuels division and political hostility in the country.
“The winner-takes-all system turns our political leaders into fugitives and our elections into a theatre of war,” he stated, while advocating for a more inclusive governance model through proportional representation.
Now based in the United Kingdom, Mr. El Tayyib-Bah, who is also known for his involvement in peacebuilding and human rights advocacy, maintained that a PR system would help reduce political tensions, encourage cooperation among political parties, and guarantee broader representation in national decision-making.
He stressed that Sierra Leone’s democratic future depends on abandoning divisive political practices and embracing reforms capable of promoting stability, inclusiveness, and national cohesion.
The press conference attracted journalists, civil society representatives, and political observers, many of whom noted that his intervention adds momentum to the growing national debate surrounding electoral and governance reforms in Sierra Leone.