Victor Foh Backs Proportional Representation for Sierra Leone Elections

Former Sierra Leone Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh has expressed support for the Proportional Representation (PR) system in parliamentary, mayoral and local council elections.

Foh said the system would promote inclusive representation and serve the country’s interests. He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Global Times, although no date or venue was provided for the comments.

He appealed to Sierra Leoneans to support PR for elections in 2028 and beyond, saying the system could ensure that different groups have a voice in the country’s representative institutions.

Benefits identified by Foh

According to Foh, PR could contribute to a more proportional balance between men and women in elected bodies, support peaceful elections and reduce election-related costs. He also associated the system with broader public participation and stronger representation by political parties.

Foh further argued that PR could encourage more effective public discussion of governance and national development. He said only PR elections could bring politically mature individuals from Sierra Leone’s diverse cultures together in a single Parliament.

“for love of country, please embrace the PR System,” Foh said in his appeal to Sierra Leoneans.

Reflections on Parliament

Foh recalled that he was one of five APC Members of Parliament during the period from 1996 to 2002. He said Parliamentary Hansards documented his effectiveness as a legislator and recalled being referred to as the “Brain of the 1991 Constitution.”

He also said the 1996 Parliament included members associated with the SLPP, UNPP, PDP, APC, NUP and DCP. Foh said the political parties represented at the time included members known as Bo School Boys.

In reflecting on the period, Foh recalled the late Sheku Mohamed Kutubu, then Speaker of Parliament, whom he said would call on him to quote and speak on the 1991 Constitution.

Foh’s statements present PR as a means of improving inclusion and political participation. The claims about its potential benefits were attributed to him and were not independently assessed in the source material.