IPNews-Monrovia,Liberia-30 May 2018: President George Manneh Weah has recommended to the 54th Legislature for the holding of by-elections on July 31, 2018.
It may be recall the National Elections Commission of Liberia announced the postponement of the by-elections that were to be held on May 8, 2018, due to lack of needed funding to conduct the by- elections for vacant senatorial seats created in Montserrado and Bong counties, following the elections of President George Weah and Madam Jewel Howard Taylor as presidential candidate and vice candidate of the then opposition coalition for Democratic Change-CDC respectively.
In a communication send to the House of Representative by President George Weah on Tuesday May 29th, and dated May 16, 2018 read: “Consistent with the powers conferred on the Legislature by article 34 (i) of the Liberian Constitution and the fact that you are the direct representatives of the people, I request that you pass a resolution, confirming the holding of the by- elections no later than July 31, 2018, in Bong and Montserrado Counties, so that this process be proceeded without undue delay.”
The presidential communication stated that despite the constraints, it is important the government does everything in its powers to strengthen the nation’s democracy and adhere as closely as possible to the timeframe provided in the Constitution.
Pres. Weah’s letter read: “The National Elections Commission has already informed us that it is prepared to hold the by-elections no later than July 31, 2018.”
The Liberian leader told lawmakers that the NEC has duly informed his office of the none adherence to some section of the elections law of Liberia specifically the holding of the by-elections for the vacant seats for Montserrado and Bong counties as required by the Liberian constitutional within a period of three months, as provided by Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution due to numerous reasons beyond the control of the Commission and the government, including financial constraints.
Article 37 of the Constitution of Liberia states: “ In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days notify the Elections Commission thereof. The Elections Commission shall not later than 90 days thereafter cause a by-election to be held; provided that where such vacancy occurs within 90 days prior to the holding of general elections, the filling of the vacancy shall await the holding of such general elections.”
Meanwhile, Speaker Bhofal Chambers without consultation from the floor forwarded the communication to the Chief Clark, Madam Mildred Sayon for appropriate action.
The action of Speaker Chambers was resisted by some members of the House who thought legislatively that the letter should have been discussed and final decision taken by plenary rather than an individual.
Minutes after the normal Legislative session, some Lawmakers termed the Speaker’s action as unconstitutional and an attempt to undermine the holding of the by-elections.
Observers are also questioning the motive of Speaker Bhofal Chambers in denying the rights of the lawmakers to deliberate on the matter for urgent action rather then instructing the Chief Clark , to ensure appropriate action when the chief Clark do not have the authority to mandate an government functionary to institute an action without the consent of Plenary.
