passport has been issued, it can only be withdrawn in certain circumstances which include: to restrict the movement of an individual who is before the courts of law for a criminal offence or when an individual ceases to be a citizen of the country such as a naturalised citizen whose citizenship is revoked on in accordance with the law. Furthermore, the constitution protects citizens against banishment from their place of origin. As such, where a person is prohibited from entering or residing in place in which he is an indigene, the constitution in section 18(4) makes provision for him to have the matter reviewed by an independent an impartial tribunal which shall come up with a decision on the matter. During the period when Sierra Leone was a one party state, there were many occurrences of banishments. At present, there are no cases of banishment at the state level. This is only done in the provinces where people are banished from the Poro Bush (secret society) but the occurrence of this is very minimal and not done in accordance with the laws of the land. Sierra Leone does grants political asylum to deserving foreign nationals. Article 13 The right to vote and be voted for. Legal framework The Constitution, in Chapter IV, makes provision for the right to vote and be voted for. This right is also guaranteed in the newly promulgated Public Elections Act 2012. General Practice From 1986 to 1992, Sierra Leone was under a one party state. In 1992, there was a military coup by junior officers of the Sierra Leone Army who formed the National Provisional Ruling Council. (NPRC) In This Military coup disrupted the multi party elections which was to be held as a result of the enactment of the 1991 Constitution. In 1996, Sierra Leone started enjoying a semblance of democracy. This was again disrupted by another military coup which saw the emergence of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) in 1997. Sierra Leone again retuned to democracy in 1998 and since then has been enjoying democracy. At present, elections in Sierra Leone are free and fair. Presidential and parliamentary elections are conducted every 5 yrs. Other elections are conducted as and when necessary. Article 14 The right to property shall be guaranteed. It may only be encroached upon in the interest of public need or in the general interest of the community and in accordance with the provisions of appropriate laws. Legal framework The Constitution of Sierra Leone in Section 21 guarantees the right to property. In addition to the constitution, this right is guaranteed by the Land Tenure Act and The Devolution of Estate Act. General Practise The land tenure in Sierra Leone is of such a nature that, mode of acquiring property in the Western Area is different from acquiring property in the provincial area. In the Western Area, land is either privately owned, or belongs to the State and can be either bought from the crown or the person who has bought from the state, or acquired through a statutory declaration. 17