During the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) monthly parliamentary press briefing held at their Old Railway Line headquarters in Freetown, the opposition Whip 1, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, delivered a strong and detailed critique of Sierra Leone’s Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system. He argued that the system will undeniably disenfranchises local communities, blocks youth participation, and encourages political detachment between elected officials and the people they are meant to serve.

Citing his own experience and that of many young Sierra Leoneans in politics, Kamara said the PR system discourages individuals with deep local ties—such as teachers, nurses, and journalists—from running for office. This is because candidates must gain recognition across the entire districts, making politics too expensive and inaccessible for ordinary citizens with limited resources.

He referenced Kambia District as a clear example of the problem. Under PR, only selected chiefdoms will receive representation in Parliament, while others like Masumbala, Konimaka, and parts of Dixing have no MPs or councillors. Kamara warned that this inequality deprives many communities of development, as there is no one to advocate for their basic needs at council or national levels.

The opposition Whip also pointed out the growing disconnect between MPs and citizens. He explained that because representatives are no longer directly elected by communities, people in neglected areas do not feel empowered to approach their MPs, and the MPs themselves do not feel obligated to be accountable.

On the issue of election violence, Kamara challenged the claim that PR reduces political unrest. He cited several by-elections, including the one in Tokolili, where violence was allegedly caused by security forces—not rival political parties. According to him, unless the conduct of state actors is addressed, changing electoral models alone will not prevent violence.

Kamara also highlighted the loss of ethnic representation under PR. He noted that in previous elections using the first-past-the-post system, all major ethnic groups in districts like Falaba were represented. Under PR, however, parties dominate the selection process and diversity is lost in the name of central control.

He concluded by warning that PR diminishes citizen’s ownership of the democratic process. Without direct constituency ties, communities feel powerless, unrepresented, and ignored—creating a dangerous disconnect in national politics.