SLPP MP SPARKS BACKLASH
BY: GIBRILLA KAMARA
The use of Proportional Representation (PR) system of governance in the upcoming general elections remains a serious concern to the main opposition party, civil society groups, and by extension, the general public of Sierra Leone.
For many, the PR system undermines democracy, good governance and transparency, and so, it stands an outright condemnation by majority of Sierra Leoneans.
However, female Member of Parliament representing the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in the House of Legislature, Hon. Mariama Munia Zombo, has a different view. During the government’s weekly press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Hall on 19 August 2025, she stated that the PR system is more suitable than the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system, and it is preferable in future elections because it is a transformative solution for enhancing women’s participation in governance than the FPTP electoral system.
The female MP added that the FPTP favours men more than women which makes gender representation in the governance system threatened. Being the Public Relations Officer for the Female Caucus in Parliament, she stressed that the FPTP system encourages more male candidates than their counterpart females, unlike the PR system which encourages electoral inclusivity, and supports democracy, good governance, and accountability.
Though the FPTP electoral system allows the people to hold their representatives accountable, as it does not also silence minority parties and gets them off the political landscape, Hon Zombo differs. For her, the FPTP electoral system gives power to male candidates who often have greater financial resources, and reinforces male dominance in the political landscape.
“The First-past-the-post system gives strength to men and weakens female representation in governance in contravention of the Political Party Registration law that calls for a 30% quota for female candidates, the Public Election Act that emphasises female nominations, and the Gender Equality and Empowerment Act, which further enforces that at least 30% of candidates in all political parties must be women.
But the MP’s argument in favour of the PR electoral system has been slammed by many as a “blind path”, and her advocacy for the PR system a way to maintain her rulling SLPP in power, not for anything as she wants people to believe.
Citizens opposed to the views of the female MP have accused her of treading the path of those politicians that are undermining the good course of democracy, governance and accountability.
“Hon. Zombo is not representing Sierra Leonean women—not even the majority of people— but her selfish interest, including her SLPP,” lashed out a man claiming to be a veteran politician.
Female opposition activist says Hon. Zombo’s advocacy for equitable political representation is not for the general womenfolk because women in every corner of the country are crying for First-Past-The-Post electoral system, which brings the people closer to their representatives, and be accountable to them.
“The majority of us women prefers the first past the post electoral system because it is more inclusive, more transparent and more participatory—better prioritize it now over a PR system!” the female activist remarked.