Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has called on lawmakers to end weeks of deadlock and approve a constitutional reform bill that would reshape the country’s electoral system ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

In a televised address on Sunday, Bio made a ‘clear and solemn appeal’ for the bill to be passed now, urging parliamentarians to vote in the national interest rather than along party lines.

The proposed changes would lower the presidential victory threshold from 55 percent to 50 percent plus one vote, introduce proportional representation for parliamentary elections, and reserve 30 percent of political leadership positions for women.

‘The bill before parliament is the product of years of consultation and engagement,’ Bio said, according to africanews.com.

The reforms have triggered a political standoff in Parliament, with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) supporting the changes and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) rejecting key provisions.

The SLPP argues that the proposed system would strengthen democracy while reducing the financial costs, political tensions and security risks associated with presidential runoffs.

The APC, however, wants to retain the existing 55-percent threshold, contending that the higher bar encourages candidates to build broader national support and gives the eventual winner greater legitimacy.

Under the proposed legislation, a presidential candidate would need to secure more than half of the national vote and at least 20 percent of votes in two-thirds of the country’s districts to win outright. If those conditions are not met, a runoff would be required.

The bill would also introduce proportional representation for parliamentary elections, changing how seats in the legislature are allocated.

Another major provision would establish a 30-percent quota for women in political leadership positions. The reforms would also require the president to consider regional balance, gender equality and minority inclusion when making appointments.

Supporters say the measures could broaden political representation and address longstanding concerns over inclusion.

Bio’s appeal comes as lawmakers face pressure to resolve the impasse before the proposed reforms can take effect. The debate has exposed sharp differences over how Sierra Leone should structure its elections and balance representation, legitimacy and political stability.

For the government, the changes are presented as a way to modernise the electoral system. For the opposition, lowering the presidential threshold risks weakening the broad mandate traditionally required to lead the country.

The parliamentary vote could therefore become a significant test of Sierra Leone’s political consensus ahead of the 2028 presidential race.