00:00MPs in Sierra Leone have approved a contested overhaul of the country's electoral rules.
00:06The new law lowers the presidential victory threshold, introduces proportional representation
00:11and reserves 30% of political leadership positions for women.
00:16Banked by the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party, the reforms were adopted by a simple
00:21majority of members present, the parliament speaker said, although voting figures weren't released.
00:27Lawmakers from the main opposition All People's Congress Party walked out after unsuccessfully
00:34arguing that the changes required a two-thirds majority.
00:38The new law cuts the share of votes needed to win the presidency from 55% to a nationwide
00:45majority.
00:46The SLPP argued that the changes strengthened democracy while reducing the costs, political
00:52tensions and security risks associated with presidential run-offs.
00:57But the opposition says the 55% threshold encourages candidates to seek broader national support
01:03and gives the winner greater legitimacy.
