The proposed constitutional amendment in , aimed at modifying the presidential term limit, has been decisively rejected by the country's lawmakers.

This rejection stems from a critical loophole identified within the bill, raising concerns about its potential implications and effectiveness.

The bill proposed is intended to limit presidential terms to a maximum of two 5-year terms, which had been non-existent in the country’s constitution.

While very rational, the bill included a loophole that would allow the current president to begin with a clean slate, perhaps prolonging Barrow's tenure by a decade.

Legislators required 44 votes in the 58-seat chamber to advance to the next round of the legislative process, with 21 votes in favor and 35 votes against the bill, as reported by Bloomberg.

Initially elected in 2016, the current president of the country, now 60, promised to be a transitional leader for just three years.

However, he later changed his mind and was re-elected in 2021 for a further five-year term.

“The failure of this bill at this stage does not signify the end of constitutional reforms; it rather marks a critical moment for reflection, consultation, and renewed engagement,” said Speaker of Parliament Fabakary Tombong Jatta.

The bill stipulates that a presidential candidate must secure over 50% of the vote in the initial round to be declared the winner.

If no clear winner emerges, a runoff election will be conducted between the two candidates who received the most votes.

In the previous proposal, which was rejected by Members of Parliament in 2020 due to its overly restrictive limitations on the president, there was no provision for Barrow to extend his term.

“The 2020 draft was killed because it limited the powers of the president, and the 2024 draft was killed because it gives too much power to the president,” said opposition lawmaker Madi Ceesay.