Freetown, 14th July 2026- Martina Baindu Egbenda, one of the presidential candidate of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), has openly challenged the legal basis of a new electronic registration process introduced for the upcoming 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
In a statement released on Monday, Egbenda argues that the leadership is improperly mixing two separate events: the social and educational Annual Conference, and the formal, legal AGM. She writes that while the conference is organized at the discretion of the directors, the AGM is “a statutory meeting governed by the Companies Act 2009 (as amended), and the Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
She furthers that “attendance at the Conference and participation in the Annual General Meeting are therefore distinct matters and should not be presented as though one is dependent upon the other.”
The candidate also strongly questioned the executive’s focus on “official receipts” as a gatekeeping condition for voting. Pointing to the Association’s governing rules, Egbenda writes, “Article 32 of the Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that ‘…fully paid up members are entitled to participate in and vote at the Annual General Meeting.'”
She argues that official bank records are the primary proof of a member’s financial standing, noting that “the issuance of an official receipt merely acknowledges payment already made; it does not itself create eligibility.”
The introduction of an electronic registration system requiring a “unique code” is another area being contested both in the legal and security basis. Egbenda points out that “members have not been informed how these codes are generated, what methodology or algorithm is used,” or “who designed, approved and now administers the system.” She warns that these technical unknowns “go directly to the transparency, credibility and integrity of the electoral process.”
Legally, Egbenda argues that the executive is acting beyond its authorized powers by trying to rewrite the rules. She states, “The Directors cannot, by administrative notice or practice, impose additional qualifications or procedural requirements that are inconsistent with the governing instruments of the Association.” Any attempt to do so, she warns, is “ultra vires and without legal effect.”
In conclusion , Egbenda calls for a response , stating, “I therefore, do not consider it appropriate to participate in the so-called electronic registration exercise until this clarification is provided.” She has urged the directors to immediately clarify that the digital registration is only for the conference and to publish an official voter list based strictly on constitutional rules.
