On Tuesday, April 23, registered voters in Nimba and Grand Gedeh voted to fill vacancies in the Senate and House of Representatives. However, like previous polls, the outcomes did not reflect the “will of the voters.”
Liberia’s election laws require Liberian citizenship and excessive fees to qualify as candidates, including US$750 for senators, US$10,000 minimum bank account balances, and a US$100,000 insurance bond. With most Liberians living in poverty, fear, and insecurity for over two centuries, these financial restrictions make it impossible for Liberians to enjoy their rights, obligations, and duties of citizenship under Articles 1, 77, and 81 of the Liberian Constitution.
Article 81 of the constitution holds that “any citizen has the right to canvass for votes” as long as they haven’t been disqualified by other provisions of the constitution. Meanwhile, Article 77 claims that “the essence of democracy is free competition of ideas.”
In democratic countries worldwide, including in the United States and within some countries in the European Union, candidates for elective offices only file the signatures of registered voters, but there are no registration costs—it’s FREE! In Liberia, the corrupt system cannot be challenged by citizens except with expensive lawyers at the Supreme Court, where citizens cannot file lawsuits as pro se litigants.
To ensure the “will of the Liberian people” is consistent with the laws and public policies, our Free Liberia Movement is partnering with Plain Truth to host the first inclusive Sovereign Citizens Convention in Ganta, Nimba on July 20, 2024. The convention will allow citizens to fulfill Article 1 of the Liberian Constitution: “All power is inherent in the people. All free governments are instituted by their authority and for their benefit.” All citizens are invited to participate in Liberia’s rebirth.
On July 16, 1847, the first attempt at securing the “will of the Liberian People” was convened in Monrovia. However, the Monrovia Convention did not include all Liberians and catered only to aggrieved American settlers whose civil and human rights were violated in the United States of America. The exclusion began with an inaccurate description of all Liberians; “We, the people of Liberia, were originally inhabitants of the United States of America…”
Eventually, Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, excluding all indigenous Africans from voting and participating in the government for over a century until President William V.S. Tubman’s administration.
The next attempt at securing the will of the Liberian people in 1986 also did not include all Liberians and was done under a military regime that came to power using brute force. The 1986 constitution was carefully crafted to protect the military leaders and the process and outcomes were not free and fair.
The Free Liberia Movement conducted a recent survey of 200 citizens in Nimba and found that 100 percent of respondents do not accept the current burdensome financial requirements of the election laws, the long 6- and 9-year terms of office of lawmakers, as well as the excessive salaries and benefits of lawmakers and public servants paid without the consent of Liberian citizens. They see that the financial restrictions are unreasonable: they are not free, fair, inclusive, democratic, or constitutional. A nationwide survey will precede the Sovereign Convention.
The excessive fees have made it impossible for citizens to fulfill their constitutional obligations, including exercising their constitutional power under Article 1 of the 1986 Constitution. According to Article 77 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, “…the essence of democracy is FREE competition of ideas expressed by political parties and political groups as well as by individuals.” The excessive fees mean elections in Liberia are for sale.
With elected sanctioned officials against reform and the citizens opposing the current corrupt system designed to enrich and empower politicians, our Free Liberia Movement is inclusive. The 2nd Sovereign Citizens Convention set for July 20, 2024, is the best solution that’s consistent with the Constitution and remains the only path to securing the will of the people, equal opportunities for all Liberians, and sustainable development using the God-given talents and gifts endowed on all human beings by the Creator. Find out more at FreeLiberia.org.
Featured photo by Mike Andrews
