By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr.
MONROVIA – Grand Kru County Senator Albert Chie has written the plenary of the Liberian Senate to review and resubmit constitutional amendments for the national Referendum.
Senator Albert Chie’s communication to the plenary of the Liberian Senate outlines a significant set of constitutional amendments aimed at making changes to key aspects of the country’s governance structure.
His call for review and resubmission of these amendments for a national referendum highlights ongoing efforts to refine and modernize Liberia’s legal framework, particularly in areas like dual citizenship, term limits for elected officials, and the timeline for elections.
The eight proposed amendments touch on various aspects of governance, including reducing the term lengths for Senators, Representatives, and other key officials, adjusting the election timeline, and shortening the resolution time for election-related disputes.
Senator Chie’s communication to the plenary appears to be advocating for several key amendments to the constitution. These proposed changes aim to reduce the terms of office for various government officials. Specifically, the proposed amendments cover Article 28 which talks about citizenship – this likely addresses the conditions under which dual citizenship is permitted for citizens holding office or other legal implications.
Other constitutional provisions include Article 45 for the reduction of the terms of Senators From 9 years to 7 years, Article 47 for reduction in tenure of the President Pro Tempore and other Senate officers – From 6 years to 5 years, Article 48 for reduction in terms for House of Representatives members – From 6 years to 5 years as well as Article 49 for the reduction in term limits for the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other officers of the House of Representatives – From 6 years to 5 years.
These changes suggest a push for shorter terms for legislators and key officers, which might be intended to promote more accountability or allow for more frequent changes in leadership.
According to his communication to the plenary of the Liberian, one of the more notable proposals is the change to allow dual citizenship, which could have broader implications for the country’s diaspora community.
Though these proposed amendments were initially submitted in December 2020, they fell short of the required two-thirds vote during the referendum. As a result, Senator Chie has now urged the Senate to review and revise the amendments, including making necessary adjustments, before initiating the process again.
In response, the Senate has tasked the committees on Judiciary, Internal Affairs, and Autonomous Commissions and Agencies to take the lead on this matter, with a report due in three weeks. The outcome of this review could have a significant impact on Liberia’s constitutional framework and governance.
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