Section 11, The Political Parties Act, 2002

(1) Where any association of persons formed to particaptein shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and to sponsor candidates for presidential, parliamentary and local government elections wishes to function as a political party it shall apply to the Commission to be registered as a political party. (2) An application to be registered as a political party shall be accompanied with the following:– (a) two copies of the constitution and rules, if any, of the association duly signed by the interim national chairman or leader and by the interim national or general secretary of the association, stating (i) the name of the proposed political party; and (ii) briefly but clearly, the aims, objectives, purposes and programmes of the association, which shall not be inconsistent with the Constitution; and (iii) the internal organisation of the party which shall reflect the democratic principles enunciated in the Constitution including provision for the free and fair election of the leadership of the proposed party at regular intervals; (b) the business address of the proposed political party in Freetown and the names of persons who are authorised to accept and issue process on behalf of the proposed political party; (c) the address of the registered office in each of the provincial headquarters-towns and in the Western Area which is owned or leased for at least five years by the association for the purposes of the proposed political party; Act No. 6 of 1991. Act No. 6 of 1991. Expenses accounts and audit of Members of not to belong to political parties Obstruction o f Commission. Obligation to register political party. (d) an abbreviation of the name of the proposed political party, if any, which may be used on ballot papers and a full description of its symbol, colour or motto; (e) such other particulars of the matters stated in paragraphs (a) to (d) as may be prescribed; (f) a non-refundable registration fee of Le2,500,000.00. (3) The Commission shall, immediately upon receipt of the application, issue the association with a provisional certificate of registration as a political party and shall cause a notice of the application to be published in a Government Notice not later than seven days after receiving it. (4) The Government Notice referred to in subsection (3) shall invite objections from any person concerning the constitution, name, aims, objectives, rules, if any, symbol, colour or motto of the association. (5) The Commission may, in addition to inviting objections to the application under subsection (4), cause independent enquiries to be made so as to ascertain the truth or correctness of the particulars submitted with the application for registration.