By Grace Q. Bryant
Naymote Partners for Democratic Development and the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) have expressed disappointment and concerns over the 54th Legislature’s unauthorized and unilateral passage of an act to amend section 1 of an act fixing day for the annual adjustment of that august body.
Speaking yesterday in a joint Press Conference at the Headquarters in Paynesville, the IREDD’s Executive Director, Matthias Yeanay, said they are concerned about the decision making skills and the insecurity of the Liberian Legislature which should be considered as the fulcrum of Liberia democracy given its constitutional responsibilities to enact laws, represent citizens’ interest and oversee executive policy implications and performances.
The Legislature recently, passed into law “An Act to Amend Section 1 of an Act fixing day for the annual Adjournment of the Legislature of the Republic of Liberia and to establish in lieu thereto, an act setting the calendar of Adjournment for the Legislature.”
“The first constituency visit break shall commence on the third Friday of March of each year and end on the second Friday of May of each year; the second constituency visit break shall commence on the third Friday of July of each year and end on the third Friday of October of each year,” the Act stated according to Director Yeanay.
Director Yeanay, according to the new schedules of three adjournment in a single calendar year, unfortunately violates Liberia’s Constitution under Article 32 (a) of the Liberian Constitution, which states: “The Legislature shall assemble in regular sessions once a year on the second working Monday in January, while lawmakers are paid to work for 12 months.”
He expressed that the new changes in the Constitution will allow the lawmakers to work six months every year adding that the decision will undermine the governance process and is therefore calling for reconsideration.
“The Legislature cannot do what the Constitution didn’t mandate them to do until it’s done through a constitutional referendum. It has been noticed that members of the legislature have taken upon themselves to regularly violate the Liberian Constitution based on self-interest, changing electoral dates, postponing national Census and their total lack of accountability and responsiveness to the Liberian people,” he revealed.
He explained that poor leadership has engulfed the Legislature has herald them into champions of bad governance.
“To date, there are no voting records of lawmakers, no website to monitor or track members’ activities and coupled with their inherent failure to audit what is considered the nation’s First Branch of Government,” he expressed.
He therefore called on the Liberian legislature to ensure adequate representation, oversight and lawmakers to improve governance and strengthen better leadership through prudent decision-making, instead of undermining the Constitution for their self- aggrandizement.
“While the country is confronted with all of these critical national concerns, the majority of lawmakers seeking re-election have embarked upon serious political campaign ahead of the set dates by the Electoral Management Body (EMB); this is frustratingly closing the civic space for growth and development,” the Director further explained.