Towards the achievement of Social Justice in Liberia

No End To Threshold Dilemma

With the Legislature’ trashing of the census despite guaranteed constitutional provisions against their acts,

civil society groups are gearing up for protests, insisting that the 2011 elections should be held in accordance with the constitution.
Article 80  states that The Legislature shall cause a census of the Republic to be undertaken every ten years. Immediately following a national census and before the next election, the Elections Commission shall reapportion the constituencies in accordance with the new population figures so that every constituency shall have as close to the same population as possible; provided, however, that a constituency must be solely within a county.

The civil groupings are  protesting  the legislators’ action of  adopting a “joint resolution” to squash the 2008 Housing and Population census result so as  to maintain the current seats  at the lower House thus describing them  as “illogical and unrealistic.”
Last week legislators adopted a joint resolution to maintain the 64 seats at the Lower House without a set threshold with Sen. Fredrick Cherue stressing; “our action is not unconstitutional but lawful and conform to our current situation.”

Others said they  heeded to  the advise of the Council of Traditional leaders (one of whose signature was allegedly forged) who told  them (lawmakers) to squash the 2008 census result and maintain the current 64 seats threatening that or else, they (lawmakers) would not be voted again.

But Speaking Friday, one of the CSO’s Protestors, George Weh Williams, Executive Director of Liberia Democracy Watch (LDW) who frowned at the Chiefs for “selfishly” advising the lawmakers  said the  action of the legislators is “impractical” adding; “it is intended to plunge Liberia into a greater political confusion.”

“To reduce the National Census for what its worth to mere statistic useful for social economic planning is contradictory and reflect a mentally improvised leadership,” William said.
Bejamin Tarnue, Executive Secretary of the National Coalition of Civil Society Organization (NACCSOL) said to avert the damage that the situation will give cause to the fragile democracy here, they will stage an indefinite stay home action until the threshold bill is pass by the legislature and endorse by President Sirleaf.

Meanwhile, the LDW has  vowed it  will collaborate with disfranchise lawmakers to seek redress at the Supreme Court on the matter noting “We must wake up to this shameful scheme of self seeking politicians.”
The latest action on the passage of the threshold which would be used  by NEC to demarcate the country into electoral districts  seem  to be the only way forward as both the  Legislature and the President have failed to reach a specific figure since its introduction in 2008, thus casting uncertainty over the planned 2011 poll.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has vetoed the bill twice while both Houses have disagreed on various figures with the House overturning the most recent Senate’s version - 54,500 people per constituency with an additional one seat and thereafter setting it at 46,000.
The head of the United Nations mission here had doubted the possibility of “proper” elections in 2011 in the absence of a threshold. Election officials have said there will be no constitutional election in 2011 without a population threshold.