NPRC DECREE N0.15 1994

3 N.P.R.C. Decree No. 15 Sierra Leone 1994 The National Commission for Democracy Decree, 1994 [Margin: Short title.] Being a Decree to establish the National Commission for Democracy and for other related purposes. [27th October, 1994.] [Margin: Date of Commencement.] PURSUANT to paragraph 3 of the Proclamation entitled "The Administration of Sierra Leone (National Provisional Ruling Council) Proclamation, 1992", the National Provisional Ruling Council makes and issues the following Decree—

There shall be established a body to be known as the National Commission for Democracy (referred to in this Decree as "the Commission").[Margin: Establishment of National Commission for Democracy] 4 No. 15 The National Commission for Democracy Decree 1994

The Commission shall consist of a Chairman and four other persons all of whom shall be appointed by the National Provisional Ruling Council on such terms and conditions as may be contained in their letters of appointment.[Margin: Composition of Commission.]

[Margin: Functions of Commission.] (a) create and sustain within the society public awareness of the principles and objectives of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 (hereafter referred to as "the Constitution") as the fundamental law of the people of Sierra Leone; (b) educate and encourage the public to defend the Constitution at all times against all forms of abuse and violation; (c) formulate for the consideration of Government, when necessary, programmes at the national, regional and district levels aimed at realising the objectives of the Constitution; (d) formulate, implement and oversee programmes intended to inculcate in the citizens of Sierra Leone an awareness of their civic responsibilities and an appreciation of their rights and obligations as a free people; (e) assess for the attention of Government, the limitations to the achievement of true democracy as a result of the existing inequalities in the population and make recommendations for redressing these inequalities; (f) develop and disseminate programmes geared towards— (i) the cultivation of a sense of nationalism, patriotism and loyalty to the State in every citizen; and No. 15 The National Commission for Democracy Decree 1994 5 (ii) prompting the citizenry to render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order in the country. (g) perform such other functions as may be determined by the National Provisional Ruling Council. (2) Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of this section does not apply to the education of the people on the electoral process and its purpose. (3) The Commission may, in the performance of its functions consult or co-operate with such body, person or institution as it may think necessary.

[Margin: Meetings of Commission.] (2) The chairman shall preside over every meeting of the Commission at which he is present and in his absence a member of the Commission appointed by the members present shall preside. (3) Decisions at meetings of the Commission shall be taken by a majority of the members present and voting, and in the event of equality of votes the chairman or person presiding shall have a casting vote. (4) The Commission may co-opt such person as it may think fit to attend any of its meetings for the purpose of advising it, but the person so co-opted shall not vote on any matter for decision by the Commission. (5) The quorum for a meeting of the Commission shall be three.

[Margin: Commission to appoint Committees.] 6 No. 15 The National Commission for Democracy Decree 1994

(1) The National Provisional Ruling Council shall appoint an Executive Secretary upon such terms and conditions as it may determine.[Margin: Executive Secretary and staff of Commission.] (2) The Executive Secretary shall be responsible to the Commission for— (a) the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the Commission; (b) the supervision and disciplining of the staff of the Commission; (c) the recording and keeping of minutes of meetings of the Commission in a book kept for that purpose, and (d) the performance of such other functions as the Commission may determine. (3) The Commission shall employ such staff as it thinks necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine.

The National Provisional Ruling Council shall provide the Commission with such funds as may be necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the Commission.[Margin: Funds of Commission.]

The Commission may with the approval of the National Provisional Ruling Council establish Regional and District branches of the Commission.[Margin: Regional and District branches of Commission.]

Any person who wilfully obstructs the Commission or otherwise interferes with the Commission in the discharge of its functions commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand leones or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to a term of community service not exceeding three years.[Margin: Offence.] No. 15 The National Commission for Democracy Decree 1994 7

The National Provisional Ruling Council may make regulations for any matter connected with the functions of the Commission and for giving effect to the provisions of this Decree.[Margin: Regulations.] MADE and ISSUED this 20th day of October, 1994. CAPTAIN VALENTINE E. M. STRASSER Chairman, National Provisional Ruling Council.