Ahead of the impending October 10, 2023 legislative and presidential elections, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has assured its commitment to promoting constitutional democracy.
Speaking at the Law Day celebration organized by the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) on Friday, May 5, 2023, under the theme: “Episodes of Electoral Violence and Prospect for Constitutional Democracy in Liberia,” the President of AFELL, Atty. Philomena Williams, said, “consistent with the theme, please be assured of AFELL’s commitment to promoting constitutional democracy during this national election period to cast votes for the president and members of the legislature.”
As part of its commitment, Atty. Williams disclosed that AFELL has embarked on a campaign to create awareness in communities, schools, mosques, and churches to prevent violence before, during, and after the pending national elections.
“The administration of AFELL wishes to thank our members who have volunteered their services and time to ensure this campaign achieves its intended purpose. Mindful of our advocacy, and as we celebrate Law Day today, we wish to restate that AFELL was founded on the principle of a non-political and non-governmental organization. Unfortunately, contrary to the assertion made by the Government of Liberia in its April 6, 2023 statement, AFELL is compelled to remind the Government that over the years and to date, based on records, we continue to provide voluntary legal assistance in favor of the Government of Liberia by joining the State/Ministry of Justice in prosecuting rape cases, sexual and gender-based violence cases, and other cases without a penny from the Government,” Atty. Williams said in a statement read at the Law Day celebration in Monrovia.
“To this end, let us quote the letter to the Legislature AFELL was asked to reference. ‘The bill includes several important sections, including the requirement that a political party’s list of candidates to the National Elections Commission (NEC) shall include no less than thirty present (30%) candidates from each gender. While I support this section and others, there are sections/items in the bill that are either already addressed by existing constitutional provision; existing statute; or that are better addressed through the existing independent recruitment process of the NEC. Additionally, it is important to note that the Republic is about seven months away from the 2023 General Elections. Moreover, certain changes in the Elections Law at a time so close to the ECOWAS Protocol A/SP1/12/01 on Democracy and Good Governance six (6) months restriction would tend to send mixed signals to the electorate and present the potential to cause delays in the elections process.’ AFELL notes that the bill was returned with the quoted objections raised: 1) Even though I support this section, there are constitutional provisions and statutes that have already dealt with the matter and 2) Besides, at this time, Liberia, a contracting party, wishes to remain in straight adherence to the ECOWAS Protocol. Ultimately, there is no need to change the Status Quo. The government’s statement fell short to state the status of the bill. If not vetoed, is it in the process of being printed into a handbill for use during the 2023 general elections?
