Liberia: Senate Differs With House on Elections Registration Fees

The Senate has voted unanimously voted for some prepositions within the New Elections Law, including the maintaining of Application and Registration fees of aspirants and candidates under Section 7.3(2).

The Senate differed from the House of Representatives and sustained the initial fees for candidate and applicant registrations as stipulated in the 1986 constitution.

The office of the President is US$2,500; Vice President US$1,500; Senator US$750.00 and Representatives US$500.00. The House had earlier amended the election law and increase candidates’ registration fees for the post of President, Vice President, Representatives, and Senators.  

The move then doubled fees, removing the modest amount that enables many of them to register and contest for public office over the last two decades. The House nearly six months ago doubled candidates' registration fees, per the following: President, US$5,000 or L$ equivalent; Vice President, US$3,000; Senator US$1,500; and Representative US$1,000. 

Meanwhile, the Senate’s decision has now created room for a conference committee, for both Houses to resolve their disagreements and differences.

However, the Senate has agreed with the House on the 30 percent women participation. 

“A political party or coalition in its submission to the Commission (National Elections Commission) of its list of candidates for an election should endeavor to ensure that the governing body and its list of candidates have no less than 30% of its members from each gender." 

The House added that political parties that will default in submitting a listing of aspirants that will carry not less than 30 percent women inclusion, will pay a fine of US$15,000; and be compelled. 

But the Senate voted that the fine be US$10,000 and also be compelled. Accordingly, the Senate also passed Section 2.24(a) which states, 90-days after the passage of this Act, all Elections Magistrates in all 15 counties must be removed and positions considered vacant.  This section also gives the right to those removed magistrates to re-apply.

The Senate also agreed that in continuation of debates in the New Elections Law, deliberations on other provisions will be done in subsequent sessions.

Also, the House agreed that “The National Elections Commission, as an autonomous public commission established by the Constitution of Liberia, shall be under the direction and management of seven (7) commissioners, at least three of whom are from each gender, appointed by the President of Liberia.”

The Senate is expected to debate on and act this week on this section and others.