HOUSE PASSES NEW ELECTIONS LAW (4.5)

BY: LEGISLATIVE CORRESPONDENT

Liberia-WTVNEWS): The House of Representatives has Passed the New Elections Law (NEL) thus making it compulsory for 30% of either gender for Political Parties and candidates’ registration at the National Elections Commission.

The House’s decision was triggered by a report from the Joint Committee on Elections and Inauguration, Judiciary and Good Governance.

A motion for reconsideration on the passage of the Bill was raised by Nimba County District 5, Representative, Hon. Samuel Kogar, in which he mentioned that parts of the NEL amendment contradict the 1986 constitution. He placed emphasis on 4.5 granting 30% to either gender during submission of candidates by Political, which he indicated that the Constitution is clear on who can contest and as such, special seats or space should not be granted either gender as amended in the Law.

Following intense discussions, 1 person voted in favor of the motion while 22 voted against the motion for reconsideration, thereby granting the passage of the bill.

The Bill was sent to the Liberian Senate for Concurrence.

The Bill which was introduced by Montserrado County District 11 Representative Richard Koon among other things pointed out the age limit for contesting for the House of Representatives, Candidates Registration fees and as well as the 30% of either gender compulsion for Political Parties.

Section 4.5 amended version states: A list of candidates submitted to the Commission for an election shall have no less than 30% of the candidates from each gender.
Section 4.5 Paragraph (1) of the New Elections Law (1986) is hereby amended by adding counts d, e, and f as follows:
Section 4.5 (1d) shall read as follows: A political party or coalition shall have at least one woman contestant for the primary at the convention for each constituency it nominates a candidate. Section 4.5 (1e) shall read as follows: A political party or coalition whose list from its convention or primary does not satisfy the required quota for gender, such list shall be rejected by the NEC upon submission and the affected party may be entitled to re-submission within the required period”, the bill added.

Under section 7.3 (2)of the NEL on limitation of Elections expenses, registration fees for candidates have been increased with the amended version.

“Section 7.3 (2) of the New Election Law (1986), which reads
Application and Registration fees of aspirants and candidates shall amount to Liberian dollar equivalent of the following:
a) For the President, two thousand five hundred United States dollars (US$2,500.00);
b) For the office of the Vice President, one thousand five hundred United States dollars (US$1,500.00);
c) For the office of Senator, seven hundred fifty United States dollars (US$750.00);
d) For the office of member of the House of Representatives, five hundred United States dollars
(US$500.00);
e) For any other elective public office, the amount shall be determined by the Commission and shall not exceed the Liberian dollar equivalent of fifty United States dollars (US$50.00).
All application and registration fees shall be paid to the National Elections Commission, and shall form an integral part of its budget.
Is hereby amended as follows
Application and Registration fees of aspirants and candidates shall amount to Liberian dollar equivalent of the following
(a) For the office of President, fifteen thousand United States dollars (US$15,000.00)
(b) For the office of Vice President, ten thousand United States dollars (US$10,000.00)
(c) For the office of Senator, seven thousand five hundred United States dollars (US$7,500.00)
(d) For the office of Member of the House of Representatives, five thousand United States dollars (US$5000.00)
(e) For any other elective public office, the amount shall be determined by the Commission and shall neither be less than the Liberian dollar equivalent of one hundred United states Dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand United States dollars (US$1000.00)
All application and registration fees shall be paid to the National Elections Commission, and shall form an integral part of its budget”.

There were series of consultations from around the country with stakeholders on the bill while the Women Legislative Caucus and UN WOMEN facilitated most of the round table meetings.