Explainer: A Guide to the Beginning of a New Legislature
…. The 55th National Legislature Commences January 15
Unlike other African countries, Liberia refers to its chief lawmaking body as the Legislature, as mandated by Article 32 of the country’s constitution. This legislative session is convened once every six years on the second working Monday in January, following the Presidential and Legislative Elections, also held every six years.
On January 15, 2024, both the House of Representatives and the Senate will convene to open the 55th Legislature in accordance with Article 29 of the Constitution. This article states that the legislative power of the Republic is vested in the Legislature, which consists of two separate houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
All legislation must pass through both houses before enactment, and the enacting style is “the Senate and House of Representatives enact it of the Republic of Liberia in Legislature assembled.”
Presentation of Winners’ Certificates, and Pledge of Allegiance
Before the opening, all Representatives-elect must submit their certificates issued by the National Elections Commission (NEC) to the Office of Chief Clerk, Mildred Sayon. The certificates serve as evidence of their victory and membership in the 55th Legislature, as mandated by Section 2.9(q) of Liberia’s New Election Law.
The opening ceremony will include the hoisting of the 15 flags representing the counties of Liberia, as well as the national flag. All Representatives-elect and Senators-elect, including sitting Senators, will gather for this ceremony and recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag and the Republic.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of Liberia and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Farewell Speech, Inception of the 55th Legislature
Following the flag hoisting, lawmakers will march to their respective chambers, where the presiding officers will deliver farewell speeches. The 54th Legislature will formally dissolve, and outgoing Representatives will leave while members of the 55th Legislature remain seated.
The Chief Clerk will administer the oath of office to all the Representatives-elect in the House’s chamber, while the Secretary of the Senate will do the same in the Senate’s chamber.
The oath of office reads: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Upon reciting the oath, all will stand and raise their right hands and after the oath, some will kiss the Holy Bible while others will kiss the Qur’an.
After the oath of office, announcements will be made regarding vacancies for Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and President Pro Tempore.
A motion will be entertained for the election rules or timeline, and subsequent elections will be held for positions such as Deputy Speaker, Chief Clerk, Deputy Chief Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms.
The Koffa vs Koon; Karnga-Lawrence vs Findley
The fight for the leadership of both houses seems to be the same as the battle for the presidency in the 2023 presidential elections in which the race was between the CDC and the Unity Party.
Currently, the Speakership race is between Deputy Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa of Grand Kru County District #2 and Rep. Richard N. Koon of Montserrado County District #11.
Rep. Koffa, a member of the Congress for Democratic Change, will be entering his second term as representative. Rep. Koon will also commence his second-term Representative and is a member of the Unity Party.
Reports suggest that Cllr. Koffa, as the consensus candidate for the CDC, is emerging as the favored candidate for Speaker of the 55th Legislature. This is seen as an effort to achieve a balance of power in governance.
In the Senate, the two frontrunners for the position of Senate President Pro Tempore are Senators Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, both from Grand Bassa County. Sen. Lawrence has been formally endorsed by the Unity Party as their consensus candidate, while Sen. Findley is rumored to have the support of the CDC.