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 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 which 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 of the amended version states that 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) also amended counts d, e, and f stating that 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 and that 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.
However, under section 7.3 (2) of the NEL on limitation of Elections expenses, registration fees for candidates have been increased with the amended version therefore Section 7.3 (2) reads that application and registration fees of aspirants and candidates shall amount to Liberian dollar equivalent for the President, US$2,500; the office of the Vice President, US$1,500; the office of Senator, US$750 and for members of the House of Representatives, US$500.
Others are for any other elective public office, the amount shall be determined by the Commission and shall not exceed the Liberian dollar equivalent US$50.
Meanwhile, all application and registration fees shall be paid to the National Elections Commission, and shall form an integral part of its budget.
The earlier amended version stated that application and registration fees of aspirants and candidates shall amount to Liberian dollar equivalent of the office of President, US$15,000; the office of Vice President, US$10,000; the office of Senator, US$7,500 and the office of Member of the House of Representatives, US$5000.
While 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 $100 nor more than US$1000.
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.
