As the head of the executive branch of the Sierra Leone government, the president implements laws passed by parliament. The president has influence especially over members of the party of the president in the legislative branch of Parliament. The president constitutionally appoints judges of the Sierra Leone Judicial branch, including judges of the high court, the court of appeals and the Supreme Court. The president heads a Cabinet of ministers, which must be approved by the Parliament. The president is the most powerful, and the most influential person in the Government of Sierra Leone. The president of Sierra Leone is formally addressed as His Excellency.
Eligibility for Office of the President
above 32 years of age
Sierra Leone citizen
Active membership in political party
Fulfills all other requirements to serve in parliament [2]
Vacancy in the Office of the President
The Sierra Leone President's Office will become vacant if
The president serves over two five-year terms
Current officeholder dies or retires from office
President participates in misconduct or is physically or mentally unable to complete the duties of the presidency
During times of war, a president's term may be extended beyond the pre-determined two five-year terms, but only in increments in half a year at any one time
Resignations or retirements from the office of the presidency must be given in writing. Written resignations will be given to the Chief Justice. A copy of the resignation will be given to the Speaker and Chief Electoral Commissioner.
Any factors resulting in vacancy of presidency will result in vice-president taking on duties of the presidency and finishing out the affected president's term. Prior to beginning duties of the presidency, the vice-president shall take the proper oath as outlined in the Constitution of Sierra Leone.
The president of Sierra Leone is automatically: (Source: https://statehouse.gov.sl/)
Head of state
Head of Executive branch
Head of Armed Forces
Head of Cabinet with Parliament approval
His address is known to be “His Excellency” and is a partnered appointee of Parliament. [3]
Election
The election is through a cycle of 5 consecutive years/terms. The president is elected by an absolute majority vote and has two different rounds in which he is elected through, but has to be met with a certain step by step criteria:
Appointed by his own political party
All voters and appointees be registered in Sierra Leone
Polls be taken on secret ballot at specific date and time by Parliament
Must result in one nomination of presidency
If nominee passes, party organizers have seven days exactly to nominate runner up
The poll majority must reach a 55% approval rating
If tied, the default of the election winner shall go to a second-round election within fourteen days.
The president's election must take place during the state of his office, in which the former's would be expired following a three-month period.[4]
As of 2021, there is a two-term limit for the president in the Constitution of Sierra Leone. The first president for whom the term limits applied was Kabbah in 2007.[5]
Benefits and Annual Pay
According to the Sierra Leone Constitution, the president receives entitlement and compensation salary within the office he upholds such as:
Receiving a salary and allowance as prescribed by Parliament and charged on a Consolidated Fund
Salary and allowances cannot be altered to a disadvantage or advantage
Exempted of personal taxes
Cannot be criminal charged while in office
Entitled to pension and retirement benefits prescribed by Parliament[6]
Administrative Powers
With advice from the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, the president is able to appoint the members of the Judicature such as the Supreme Court's chief justice
The president appoints the Ministers of State that make up the cabinet if they have been approved by the parliament
The president has the power to appoint numerous members of the government such as the members of the Judicature including the Supreme Court's Chief Justice as well as other judges that make up the Judicature with the advisement of the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, and the Ministers of State. Though the president is able to appoint these positions, those appointed will still need to be approved by the parliament in order to hold those positions.[7]
Residence
The President of Sierra Leone official and principal workplace is at State House, located in Tower Hill in central Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
Siaska Stevens was representing the All People's Congress (APC) party in 1967 when he won the general elections and became the Prime Minister. In 1971, the parliamentary system was abolished in favor of a presidential system. This adoption of a new constitution made Siaska Stevens the first executive President of Sierra Leone.
Eventually, the APC would become the only recognized political party in the country. In 1978, a new constitution was adopted via referendum. This constitution replaced the multi-party system, instituting a single party state. Additionally, executive powers were increased and the presidential term limits increased from four to seven years.
In October 1990, President Momoh appointed a thirty-five member National Constitutional Review Commission. This was in response to the growing opposition of a one-party state. The review commission recommends constitutional changes, providing alternatives to the one-party state.
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