Jump to content

House of Representatives of Liberia: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 6°18′06″N 10°47′45″W / 6.30167°N 10.79583°W / 6.30167; -10.79583
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
mNo edit summary
 
(219 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Lower house of Liberian legislature}}
{{refimprove|date=October 2018}}
{{update|the apportionment diagram and current representatives|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox legislature
| name = House of Representatives
| legislature = 55th Liberian Legislature
| coa_pic = Coat of arms of Liberia.svg
| coa_res =
| house_type = Lower house
| leader1_type = [[List of Speakers of the House of Representatives of Liberia|Speaker]]
| leader1 = [[Jonathan F. Koffa]]
| party1 = [[Congress for Democratic Change|CDC]]
| election1 = 15 January 2024
| leader2_type = Deputy Speaker
| leader2 =
| party2 =
| election2 = 15 January 2024
| members = 73
| structure1 = Liberia House of Representatives 2023.svg
| structure1_res = 250px
| political_groups1 =
* {{Color box|#0800A3|border=silver}} [[Congress for Democratic Change|CDC]] (25)
* {{Color box|#5BB238|border=silver}} [[Unity Party (Liberia)|Unity]] (11)
* {{Color box|#891B79|border=silver}} [[Liberty Party (Liberia)|Liberty]] (6)
* {{Color box|#53ACD2|border=silver}} [[Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction|MDR]] (4)
* {{Color box|#593B68|border=silver}} [[People's Unification Party|PUP]] (2)
* {{Color box|#97DA8D|border=silver}} [[All Liberian Party|ALP]] (1)
* {{Color box|#838056|border=silver}} [[Liberia National Union|LNU]] (1)
* {{Color box|#AC1965|border=silver}} [[Liberia Transformation Party|LTP]] (1)
* {{Color box|#04A03F|border=silver}} [[Movement for Progressive Change|MPC]] (1)
* {{Color box|#006633|border=silver}} [[Liberia Restoration Party|LRP]] (1)
* {{Color box|{{party color|National Democratic Coalition (Liberia)}}|border=silver}} [[National Democratic Coalition (Liberia)|NDC]] (1)
* {{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independents]] (19)
| voting_system1 = [[First-past-the-post]]
| last_election1 = [[2023 Liberian general election|10 October 2023]]
| session_room = Liberian Capitol Building.jpg
| meeting_place = Capitol Building, [[Monrovia]]
| website = https://archive.today/20121219233214/http://legislature.gov.lr/house
}}
The '''House of Representatives''' is the [[lower chamber]] of the [[bicameral]] [[legislative branch]] of [[Liberia]], and together with the [[Senate of Liberia|Senate]] comprises the [[Legislature of Liberia]]. The number of seats is fixed by law at 73, with each county being apportioned a number of seats based on its percentage of the national population. House members represent [[single-member districts]] within the counties drawn up by the [[National Elections Commission of Liberia|National Elections Commission]] and serve six-year terms. The House meets at the Capitol Building in [[Monrovia]].<ref name="Levy Spilling 2008 p. 32">{{cite book | last1=Levy | first1=P. | last2=Spilling | first2=M. | title=Liberia | publisher=Marshall Cavendish Benchmark | series=Cultures of the World – Group 16 | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-7614-3414-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O3QIKn5_1tUC&pg=PA32 | access-date=21 October 2018 | page=32}}</ref>

The primary purpose of the House is to pass bills in conjunction with the Senate so that they may be sent to the president for signature or veto. The House also holds the exclusive right to introduce revenue bills into the Legislature, as well as to impeach the president, the vice president and judges upon the concurrence of two-thirds of its members. The House is led by the Speaker of the House, elected at the beginning of each new legislature from among its members only.

== Membership ==

=== Eligibility ===
Article 30 of the Constitution sets four requirements for members of the House: 1) they must possess Liberian citizenship, 2) must be at least twenty-five years old, 3) must have been [[domicile (law)|domiciled]] in the district which they represent for at least one year prior to their election, and 4) must be a taxpayer. Under the [[Liberian Constitution of 1847|1847 Constitution]], House members were required to own a certain value of [[real estate]] within their district, which in effect limited the ability of indigenous citizens to be elected to the House. Property ownership as a requirement for election was eliminated in the current Constitution.<ref name="Blaustein Flanz 1983">{{cite book | last1=Blaustein | first1=A.P. | last2=Flanz | first2=G.H. | title=Constitutions of the Countries of the World: Liberia | publisher=Oceana Publications | series=Constitutions of the Countries of the World: A Series of Updated Texts, Constitutional Chronologies and Annotated Bibliographies | year=1983 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fb9WAAAAYAAJ | access-date=21 October 2018 | page=27 | isbn=9780379004670 | quote=The enacting style shall be: "It is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia in Legislature assembled." Article 30 Citizens of Liberia who meet the following qualifications are eligible to become members of ...}}</ref>

=== Seat apportionment ===
Seats in the House are apportioned among the counties of Liberia in proportion to their percentage of the population according to the national census, with each county being guaranteed a minimum of two seats. Article 80(d) of the Constitution states, "Each constituency shall have an approximately equal population of 20,000, or such number of citizens as the legislature shall prescribe in keeping with population growth." Furthermore, the Constitution limits the number of House seats that the Legislature may create to 100. Currently, the number of seats is set at 73, averaging approximately 55,000 citizens per seat.

The National Elections Commission is responsible for reapportioning the seats among the counties following the conclusion of the national census every ten years. Under Article 80(e) of the Constitution, the National Elections Commission is also required to redraw the constituencies within each county at the same time as reapportionment in order to ensure that all of the constituencies are as equal in population as possible. House districts must be wholly contained within a single county.

The current seat distribution among the counties is as follows:

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em
| 1=* [[Bomi County|Bomi]] – 3
* [[Bong County|Bong]] – 7
* [[Gbarpolu County|Gbarpolu]] – 3
* [[Grand Bassa County|Grand Bassa]] – 5
* [[Grand Cape Mount County|Grand Cape Mount]] – 3
* [[Grand Gedeh County|Grand Gedeh]] – 3
* [[Grand Kru County|Grand Kru]] – 2
* [[Lofa County|Lofa]] – 5
* [[Margibi County|Margibi]] – 5
* [[Maryland County|Maryland]] – 3
* [[Montserrado County|Montserrado]] – 17
* [[Nimba County|Nimba]] – 9
* [[River Gee County|River Gee]] – 3
* [[Rivercess County|Rivercess]] – 2
* [[Sinoe County|Sinoe]] – 3
}}

=== Elections ===
Article 83(b) of the 1985 Constitution originally established a [[two-round system]] for House elections, whereby if no candidate received a majority of the vote, a second election contested by the two candidates with the highest number of votes was held one month later. The Accra Peace Accord temporarily suspended this provision for the 2005 legislative elections, which utilized the [[first-past-the-post]] (FPTP) [[voting system]]. The by-elections held between 2006 and 2011 to fill vacant House seats reverted to the two-round system. However, Article 83(b) was amended by [[Liberian constitutional referendum, 2011|referendum]] in 2011 to require FPTP voting in all future legislative elections.

=== Term ===
Representatives serve a term of six years, with no limit on the number of times a representative may be reelected. The 1847 Constitution originally set House terms at two years, though this was increased to four years by referendum in 1905. Under the draft version of the 1985 Constitution, representatives would have served four-year terms, though this was changed to six years by the [[People's Redemption Council]] prior to the Constitution's ratification in 1985.

=== Oath ===
The Constitution requires all representatives to take an [[oath]] or [[affirmation in law|affirmation]] upon assuming their office. The following oath is specified by the Constitution: {{cquote|I, ___ , do solemnly swear that I will support, uphold, protect and defend the Constitution and Laws of the Republic of Liberia and bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic and will faithfully, conscientiously and impartially discharge the duties and functions of the office of the Honorable House of Representatives, to the best of my ability. So help me God.}}

=== Midterm vacancies ===
The House is required to notify the [[National Elections Commission of Liberia|National Elections Commission]] within 30 days of a vacancy due to a representative's death, resignation, incapacity, or expulsion. The NEC then carries out a [[by-election]] within 90 days of such notification to fill the vacancy. Representatives elected in a by-election are only elected to serve the remainder of their predecessor's term.

== Duties ==
{{Politics of Liberia}}
{{Politics of Liberia}}
The '''House of Representatives''' is the [[lower chamber]] of the [[bicameral]] [[Legislature of Liberia|Liberian Legislature]]. The country is currently in transition and legislative powers have been vested in a [[unicameral]], 76-member [[National Transitional Legislative Assembly]] since [[October]] [[2003]]. [[Liberian elections, 2005|Legislative elections]] took place on [[11 October]] [[2005]], and the elected members are due to take office in January [[2006]].


=== Legislation ===
==Candidate eligibility==
Bills may originate in either the House or the Senate, though the House is granted exclusive power under Article 34(d)(i) of the Constitution to introduce revenue bills into the Legislature. Bills originating in the House, including revenue bills, may be amended by the Senate and sent back to the House. Both chambers are required to pass the same bill in order for it to be sent to the president for signature or veto. If differences exist in the two versions passed by the House and the Senate, a conference committee made up of members of both chambers may be formed to negotiate a single bill for passage by the chambers.
Citizens of Liberia who have attained the age of 25 years are eligible to contest elections and become members of the House of Representatives.

=== Checks and balances ===
The Constitution grants the House the sole power to [[impeachment|impeach]] the president, the vice president and judges upon the concurrence of two-thirds of its members. Furthermore, the House must, along with Senate, approve any [[treaties]] or other international agreements signed by the president. Should the president veto any bill passed by the House and the Senate, the veto may be overturned by a vote of two-thirds of the members in each chamber.

== Structure ==

=== Sessions ===
The House holds one regular session every year, beginning on the second working Monday of January and ending on August 31, with a two-week break for [[Easter]]. Under Article 32(b) of the Constitution, the House, by concurrence of one-fourth of its members and one-fourth of the members of the Senate, or the president, on his or her own initiative, may extend the session past its adjournment or call for an extraordinary session outside of the regular session. Plenary sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday, with committees meeting on Monday and Wednesday.

=== Leadership ===
At the convocation of each new legislature, the representatives elect a [[List of Speakers of the House of Representatives of Liberia|Speaker of the House]] from among their members to preside over the House. The House also elects a Deputy Speaker, who presides over the House in the absence of the Speaker. Both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker serve for the entire term of the Legislature and may be removed from their positions by the concurrence of two-thirds of the representatives. In the event of a vacancy in the speakership, the Deputy Speaker serves as Speaker until the election of a replacement within sixty days.


=== Committees ===
==Electoral system==
Article 38 of the Constitution empowers both houses of the Legislature to create both committees and sub-committees, with the only caveat being that the Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget is required to consist of one representative from each county. The Speaker appoints all chairpersons and members of the House's committees. In the 52nd Legislature, the thirty-three standing committees were:
The simple majority (or [[First Past the Post]]) [[voting system]] is used in electing members to both chambers of the Liberian Legislature. In House elections, the candidate with a [[plurality]] of votes (not necessarily an [[absolute majority]]) wins. House members serve a six-year term.
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em
| 1=* Committee on Peace, Religious and National Reconciliation
* Committee on Claims and Petitions
* Committee on Gender Equity and Child Development
* Committee on State Enterprises, Commissions, Public Autonomous Agencies and Utilities
* Committee on Planning and Economic Affairs
* Committee on Executive
* Committee on Foreign Affairs
* Committee on Judiciary
* Committee on Ways, Means and Finance
* Committee on Rules, Order and Administration
* Committee on Public Accounts and Expenditure
* Committee on National Security
* Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Environment
* Committee on Commerce and Industries
* Committee on Elections and Inauguration
* Committee on Transport
* Committee on Education and Public Administration
* Committee on Maritime Affairs
* Committee on Banking and Currency
* Committee on National Defense
* Committee on Good Governance and Government Reform
* Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
* Committee on Internal Affairs
* Committee on Public Works
* Committee on Post and Telecommunication
* Committee on Resettlement, Repatriation, Relief and Readjustment
* Committee on Information, Broadcasting, Culture and Tourism
* Committee on Youth and Sport
* Committee on Investment and Concessions
* Committee on Human and Civil Rights
* Committee on Rural Development
* Committee on Contracts, Monopolies and Public Procurement Commission
* Committee on Health Care and Social Welfare
}}


== Current representatives ==
==County representation==
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%; width:100%;"
The 64 House seats are distributed among Liberia's fifteen [[Counties of Liberia|counties]] based on its total number of registered voters. Each county is guaranteed by law to have at least two seats. The current seat distribution among the counties is as follows:
|- style="vertical-align:bottom"
! County/District !! Name !! Party !! Year elected !! Notes
|-
| [[Bomi-1]] || Jahkpakpa Obediah Varney || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023>{{cite web|url=https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&4df8f4a95b9ccaeffba51d2193fe766d30fe57c666ac68e0b618687f8a71b989=NDMyOA%3D%3D|title=2023 House of REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS|publisher=[[National Elections Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]]|date=2023|accessdate=March 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bomi-2]] || Manah Bishop Johnson || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2023/><ref name=nec2017>{{cite web|url=https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=MQ%3D%3D|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528103044/https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=MQ%3D%3D|title=2017 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS|publisher=[[National Elections Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]]|date=2017|archive-date=May 28, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bomi-3]] || Sam P. Jallah || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Bong-1]] || Prince K. Koinah || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Bong-2]] || James M. Kolleh || [[People's Unification Party|PUP]]|| 2021 || <ref name=nec2021>{{cite web|url=https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=MzMyMw%3D%3D|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528093723/https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=MzMyMw%3D%3D|title=2021 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY-ELECTIONS RESULTS|publisher=[[National Elections Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]]|date=2021|archive-date=May 28, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2024}}</ref><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Bong-3]] || J. Marvin Cole || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 ||<ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Bong-4]] || Robert Womba || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]]|| 2017 ||<ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Bong-5]] || Eugine J. M. Kollie || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 ||<ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Bong-6]] || Moima Briggs Mensah || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2017 ||<ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Bong-7]] || Foday E. Fahnbulleh || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Gbarpolu-1]] || Zinnah A. Norman || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Gbarpolu-2]] || Luther S. Collins || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Gbarpolu-3]] || Mustapha Waritay || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Bassa-1]] || Isaac G. Bannie || [[Movement for Progressive Change|MPC]]|| 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Bassa-2]] || J. Clarence T. Banks || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Bassa-3]] || Matthew Joe || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Bassa-4]] || Alfred H. Flomo || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Bassa-5]] || Thomas A. Goshua II || [[Collaborating Political Parties|CPP]]|| 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Cape Mount-1]] || Bintu Massalay || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]]|| 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Cape Mount-2]] || Mohammed Dosii || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Cape Mount-3]] || Gbessie Sonni Feika || [[Vision for Liberia Transformation|VOLT]]|| 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Gedeh-1]] || Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Sr. || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2024 || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.necliberia.org/representative.php?&4df8f4a95b9ccaeffba51d2193fe766d30fe57c666ac68e0b618687f8a71b989=NTM2MQ%3D%3D|title=2024 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY-ELECTIONS RESULTS|publisher=[[National Elections Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]]|date=2024|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Grand Gedeh-2]] || Marie G. Johnson || [[Liberia Restoration Party|LRP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Gedeh-3]] || Jacob C. Debee II || [[Liberia National Union|LINU]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Kru-1]] || Nathaniel N. Bahway Sr. || [[Collaborating Political Parties|CPP]]|| 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Grand Kru-2]] || [[Jonathan Fonati Koffa]] || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Lofa-1]] || Thomas P. Fallah || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2005 || Fallah was elected in 2005 to represent Montseraddo-7, as well as in 2011 and 2017 to represent Montseraddo-5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.necliberia.org/results2005/House/Results_3007.php|title=2005 Election Results|publisher=[[National Elections Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]]|date=2005|accessdate=March 1, 2024}}</ref><ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Lofa-2]] || Julie Fatorma Wiah || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Lofa-3]] || Momo Siafa Kpoto || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Lofa-4]] || Gizzie K. Kollince || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Lofa-5]] || Augustine B. Chiewolo || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Margibi-1]] || Roland O. Cooper || [[Liberty Party (Liberia)|LP]] || 2023 || Cooper was elected in 2011 but was not re-elected in 2017.<ref name=nec2011>{{cite web|url=https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=MjM5Mg%3D%3D|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528094402/https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=MjM5Mg%3D%3D|title=2011 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS|publisher=[[National Elections Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]]|date=2011|archive-date=May 28, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2024}}</ref><ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Margibi-2]] || Ivar K. Jones || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Margibi-3]] || Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh || [[Independent (politician)|IND]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Margibi-4]] || Emmanuel Yarh || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Margibi-5]] || Clarence G. Gahr || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Maryland-1]] || P. Mike Jurry || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Maryland-2]] || Anthony F. Williams || [[Collaborating Political Parties|CPP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Maryland-3]] || Austin Blidi Taylor || [[Independent (politician)|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-1]] || [[Rugie Yatu Barry]] || [[Collaborating Political Parties|CPP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-2]] || Sekou S. Kanneh || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]]|| 2023 || Kanneh was elected in 2011 but was not re-elected in 2017.<ref name=nec2011/><ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-3]] || Sumo Kollie Mulbah || [[All Liberian Party|ALP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-4]] || Michael M. Thomas || [[Independent (politician)|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-5]] || Prescilla A. Cooper || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-6]] || Samuel R. Enders || [[Independent politician|IND]]|| 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-7]] || Emmanuel Dahn || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-8]] || Prince A. Toles || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-9]] || Frank Saah Foko Jr. || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2020 || <ref name=nec2020>{{cite web|url=https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=MTA0Ng%3D%3D|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528113422/https://necliberia.org/results/representative.php?&7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=MTA0Ng%3D%3D|title=2020 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY-ELECTION RESULTS|publisher=[[National Elections Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]]|date=2020|archive-date=May 28, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2024}}</ref><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-10]] || Yekeh Y. Kolubah || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-11]] || Richard Nagbe Koon || [[Unity Party (Liberia)|UP]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-12]] || Jerry K. Yogboh || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-13]] || Edward P. Flomo || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2018 || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/uncategorized/liberia-cdc-national-youth-league-concedes-defeat-in-district-13-by-election-congratulates-edward-flomo-on-his-preferement/|title=Liberia: CDC National Youth League Concedes Defeat in District #13 By-election; Congratulates Edward Flomo on His Preferement|publisher=[[FrontPage Africa]]|date=November 22, 2018|accessdate=March 17, 2024}}</ref><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-14]] || Kerkula Muka Kamara || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-15]] || Abu Bana Kamara || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2019 || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/politics/liberia-telia-urey-concedes-early-defeat-in-district-15-by-elections/|title=Liberia: Telia Urey Concedes Early Defeat in District 15 By-elections|publisher=[[FrontPage Africa]]|date=August 28, 2019|accessdate=March 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Montserrado-16]] || Dixon W. Seboe || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Montserrado-17]] || Bernard Blue Benson || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-1]] || Samuel N. Brown Sr. || [[Independent politician|IND]]|| 2021 || <ref name = nec2021/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-2]] || Nyahn Garsaye Flomo || [[Collaborating Political Parties|CPP]]|| 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-3]] || Nehker E. Gaye || [[Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction|MDR]]|| 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-4]] || Ernest M. Manseah Sr. || [[Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction|MDR]]|| 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-5]] || Samuel G. Kogar || [[People's Unification Party|PUP]] || 2011 || <ref name=nec2011/><ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-6]] || Dorwohn Twain Gleekia || [[Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction|MDR]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-7]] || [[Musa Hassan Bility]] || [[Collaborating Political Parties|CPP]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-8]] || Saye S. Mianah || [[Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction|MDR]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Nimba-9]] || Taa Wongbe || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[River Gee-1]] || Alexander Poure || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2017 || <ref name = nec2017/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[River Gee-2]] || Isaac B. Choloplay Wuo || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[River Gee-3]] || Johnson S. N. Williams Sr. || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Rivercess-1]] || Alex J. Grant || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Rivercess-2]] || Steve Tequah || [[Independent politician|IND]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Sinoe-1]] || Thomas Romeo Quioh || [[National Democratic Coalition (Liberia)|NDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Sinoe-2]] || Samson Quejue Wiah || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2020 || <ref name = nec2020/><ref name = nec2023/>
|-
| [[Sinoe-3]] || Alex S. Noah || [[Coalition for Democratic Change|CDC]] || 2023 || <ref name = nec2023/>
|}


== See also ==
<table><tr valign="top">
* [[List of speakers of the House of Representatives of Liberia]]
<td>
* [[National Transitional Legislative Assembly of Liberia]] – the country's unicameral legislative body during the transition period (October 2003-January 2006)
*[[Bomi County|Bomi]] - 3
*[[Bong County|Bong]] - 6
*[[Gbarpolu County|Gbarpolu]] - 3
*[[Grand Bassa County|Grand Bassa]] - 4
*[[Grand Cape Mount County|Grand Cape Mount]] - 3
</td>
<td>
*[[Grand Gedeh County|Grand Gedeh]] - 3
*[[Grand Kru County|Grand Kru]] - 2
*[[Lofa County|Lofa]] - 4
*[[Margibi County|Margibi]] - 4
*[[Maryland County|Maryland]] - 3
</td>
<td>
*[[Montserrado County|Montserrado]] - 14
*[[Nimba County|Nimba]] - 7
*[[River Cess County|River Cess]] - 2
*[[River Gee County|River Gee]] - 3
*[[Sinoe County|Sinoe]] - 3
</td></tr></table>


==2005 election results==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Liberian parliamentary election, 2005}}
:''More info: [[Liberia elections, 2005]]''


{{coord|6|18|06|N|10|47|45|W|region:LR-MO_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title}}
==Leadership structure==
Once the newly-elected House of Representatives is convened, its members will elect a [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker]] who will be the presiding officer of the body, a Deputy Speaker, and other officers whose purpose is to the proper functioning of the House.


== External links ==
The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other officers may be removed from office by resolution of a two-thirds majority of House members.
* {{Official website|http://legislature.gov.lr/house}}


{{National lower houses}}
==See also==
*[[Liberia]]
*[[Senate of Liberia]]
*[[Legislature of Liberia]]
*[[Legislative Branch]]


[[Category:Politics of Liberia]]
[[Category:National legislatures|Liberia]]
[[Category:National lower houses|Liberia]]
[[Category:National lower houses|Liberia]]
[[Category:Legislature of Liberia]]

Latest revision as of 18:53, 5 January 2025

House of Representatives
55th Liberian Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Jonathan F. Koffa, CDC
since 15 January 2024
Structure
Seats73
Political groups
  •   CDC (25)
  •   Unity (11)
  •   Liberty (6)
  •   MDR (4)
  •   PUP (2)
  •   ALP (1)
  •   LNU (1)
  •   LTP (1)
  •   MPC (1)
  •   LRP (1)
  •   NDC (1)
  •   Independents (19)
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
10 October 2023
Meeting place
Capitol Building, Monrovia
Website
https://archive.today/20121219233214/http://legislature.gov.lr/house

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the bicameral legislative branch of Liberia, and together with the Senate comprises the Legislature of Liberia. The number of seats is fixed by law at 73, with each county being apportioned a number of seats based on its percentage of the national population. House members represent single-member districts within the counties drawn up by the National Elections Commission and serve six-year terms. The House meets at the Capitol Building in Monrovia.[1]

The primary purpose of the House is to pass bills in conjunction with the Senate so that they may be sent to the president for signature or veto. The House also holds the exclusive right to introduce revenue bills into the Legislature, as well as to impeach the president, the vice president and judges upon the concurrence of two-thirds of its members. The House is led by the Speaker of the House, elected at the beginning of each new legislature from among its members only.

Membership

[edit]

Eligibility

[edit]

Article 30 of the Constitution sets four requirements for members of the House: 1) they must possess Liberian citizenship, 2) must be at least twenty-five years old, 3) must have been domiciled in the district which they represent for at least one year prior to their election, and 4) must be a taxpayer. Under the 1847 Constitution, House members were required to own a certain value of real estate within their district, which in effect limited the ability of indigenous citizens to be elected to the House. Property ownership as a requirement for election was eliminated in the current Constitution.[2]

Seat apportionment

[edit]

Seats in the House are apportioned among the counties of Liberia in proportion to their percentage of the population according to the national census, with each county being guaranteed a minimum of two seats. Article 80(d) of the Constitution states, "Each constituency shall have an approximately equal population of 20,000, or such number of citizens as the legislature shall prescribe in keeping with population growth." Furthermore, the Constitution limits the number of House seats that the Legislature may create to 100. Currently, the number of seats is set at 73, averaging approximately 55,000 citizens per seat.

The National Elections Commission is responsible for reapportioning the seats among the counties following the conclusion of the national census every ten years. Under Article 80(e) of the Constitution, the National Elections Commission is also required to redraw the constituencies within each county at the same time as reapportionment in order to ensure that all of the constituencies are as equal in population as possible. House districts must be wholly contained within a single county.

The current seat distribution among the counties is as follows:

Elections

[edit]

Article 83(b) of the 1985 Constitution originally established a two-round system for House elections, whereby if no candidate received a majority of the vote, a second election contested by the two candidates with the highest number of votes was held one month later. The Accra Peace Accord temporarily suspended this provision for the 2005 legislative elections, which utilized the first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system. The by-elections held between 2006 and 2011 to fill vacant House seats reverted to the two-round system. However, Article 83(b) was amended by referendum in 2011 to require FPTP voting in all future legislative elections.

Term

[edit]

Representatives serve a term of six years, with no limit on the number of times a representative may be reelected. The 1847 Constitution originally set House terms at two years, though this was increased to four years by referendum in 1905. Under the draft version of the 1985 Constitution, representatives would have served four-year terms, though this was changed to six years by the People's Redemption Council prior to the Constitution's ratification in 1985.

Oath

[edit]

The Constitution requires all representatives to take an oath or affirmation upon assuming their office. The following oath is specified by the Constitution:

I, ___ , do solemnly swear that I will support, uphold, protect and defend the Constitution and Laws of the Republic of Liberia and bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic and will faithfully, conscientiously and impartially discharge the duties and functions of the office of the Honorable House of Representatives, to the best of my ability. So help me God.

Midterm vacancies

[edit]

The House is required to notify the National Elections Commission within 30 days of a vacancy due to a representative's death, resignation, incapacity, or expulsion. The NEC then carries out a by-election within 90 days of such notification to fill the vacancy. Representatives elected in a by-election are only elected to serve the remainder of their predecessor's term.

Duties

[edit]
Politics of Liberia
Constitution
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Political parties
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
flag Liberia portal

Legislation

[edit]

Bills may originate in either the House or the Senate, though the House is granted exclusive power under Article 34(d)(i) of the Constitution to introduce revenue bills into the Legislature. Bills originating in the House, including revenue bills, may be amended by the Senate and sent back to the House. Both chambers are required to pass the same bill in order for it to be sent to the president for signature or veto. If differences exist in the two versions passed by the House and the Senate, a conference committee made up of members of both chambers may be formed to negotiate a single bill for passage by the chambers.

Checks and balances

[edit]

The Constitution grants the House the sole power to impeach the president, the vice president and judges upon the concurrence of two-thirds of its members. Furthermore, the House must, along with Senate, approve any treaties or other international agreements signed by the president. Should the president veto any bill passed by the House and the Senate, the veto may be overturned by a vote of two-thirds of the members in each chamber.

Structure

[edit]

Sessions

[edit]

The House holds one regular session every year, beginning on the second working Monday of January and ending on August 31, with a two-week break for Easter. Under Article 32(b) of the Constitution, the House, by concurrence of one-fourth of its members and one-fourth of the members of the Senate, or the president, on his or her own initiative, may extend the session past its adjournment or call for an extraordinary session outside of the regular session. Plenary sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday, with committees meeting on Monday and Wednesday.

Leadership

[edit]

At the convocation of each new legislature, the representatives elect a Speaker of the House from among their members to preside over the House. The House also elects a Deputy Speaker, who presides over the House in the absence of the Speaker. Both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker serve for the entire term of the Legislature and may be removed from their positions by the concurrence of two-thirds of the representatives. In the event of a vacancy in the speakership, the Deputy Speaker serves as Speaker until the election of a replacement within sixty days.

Committees

[edit]

Article 38 of the Constitution empowers both houses of the Legislature to create both committees and sub-committees, with the only caveat being that the Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget is required to consist of one representative from each county. The Speaker appoints all chairpersons and members of the House's committees. In the 52nd Legislature, the thirty-three standing committees were:

  • Committee on Peace, Religious and National Reconciliation
  • Committee on Claims and Petitions
  • Committee on Gender Equity and Child Development
  • Committee on State Enterprises, Commissions, Public Autonomous Agencies and Utilities
  • Committee on Planning and Economic Affairs
  • Committee on Executive
  • Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Committee on Judiciary
  • Committee on Ways, Means and Finance
  • Committee on Rules, Order and Administration
  • Committee on Public Accounts and Expenditure
  • Committee on National Security
  • Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Environment
  • Committee on Commerce and Industries
  • Committee on Elections and Inauguration
  • Committee on Transport
  • Committee on Education and Public Administration
  • Committee on Maritime Affairs
  • Committee on Banking and Currency
  • Committee on National Defense
  • Committee on Good Governance and Government Reform
  • Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
  • Committee on Internal Affairs
  • Committee on Public Works
  • Committee on Post and Telecommunication
  • Committee on Resettlement, Repatriation, Relief and Readjustment
  • Committee on Information, Broadcasting, Culture and Tourism
  • Committee on Youth and Sport
  • Committee on Investment and Concessions
  • Committee on Human and Civil Rights
  • Committee on Rural Development
  • Committee on Contracts, Monopolies and Public Procurement Commission
  • Committee on Health Care and Social Welfare

Current representatives

[edit]
County/District Name Party Year elected Notes
Bomi-1 Jahkpakpa Obediah Varney UP 2023 [3]
Bomi-2 Manah Bishop Johnson UP 2017 [3][4]
Bomi-3 Sam P. Jallah IND 2023 [3]
Bong-1 Prince K. Koinah IND 2023 [3]
Bong-2 James M. Kolleh PUP 2021 [5][3]
Bong-3 J. Marvin Cole CDC 2017 [4][3]
Bong-4 Robert Womba UP 2017 [4][3]
Bong-5 Eugine J. M. Kollie CDC 2023 [3]
Bong-6 Moima Briggs Mensah IND 2017 [4][3]
Bong-7 Foday E. Fahnbulleh IND 2023 [3]
Gbarpolu-1 Zinnah A. Norman CDC 2023 [3]
Gbarpolu-2 Luther S. Collins IND 2023 [3]
Gbarpolu-3 Mustapha Waritay UP 2023 [3]
Grand Bassa-1 Isaac G. Bannie MPC 2023 [3]
Grand Bassa-2 J. Clarence T. Banks IND 2023 [3]
Grand Bassa-3 Matthew Joe CDC 2017 [4][3]
Grand Bassa-4 Alfred H. Flomo UP 2023 [3]
Grand Bassa-5 Thomas A. Goshua II CPP 2017 [4][3]
Grand Cape Mount-1 Bintu Massalay CDC 2023 [3]
Grand Cape Mount-2 Mohammed Dosii IND 2023 [3]
Grand Cape Mount-3 Gbessie Sonni Feika VOLT 2023 [3]
Grand Gedeh-1 Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Sr. IND 2024 [6]
Grand Gedeh-2 Marie G. Johnson LRP 2023 [3]
Grand Gedeh-3 Jacob C. Debee II LINU 2023 [3]
Grand Kru-1 Nathaniel N. Bahway Sr. CPP 2017 [4][3]
Grand Kru-2 Jonathan Fonati Koffa CDC 2017 [4][3]
Lofa-1 Thomas P. Fallah CDC 2005 Fallah was elected in 2005 to represent Montseraddo-7, as well as in 2011 and 2017 to represent Montseraddo-5.[7][4][3]
Lofa-2 Julie Fatorma Wiah CDC 2017 [4][3]
Lofa-3 Momo Siafa Kpoto CDC 2023 [3]
Lofa-4 Gizzie K. Kollince UP 2023 [3]
Lofa-5 Augustine B. Chiewolo UP 2023 [3]
Margibi-1 Roland O. Cooper LP 2023 Cooper was elected in 2011 but was not re-elected in 2017.[8][4][3]
Margibi-2 Ivar K. Jones CDC 2017 [4][3]
Margibi-3 Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh IND 2017 [4][3]
Margibi-4 Emmanuel Yarh CDC 2023 [3]
Margibi-5 Clarence G. Gahr CDC 2017 [4][3]
Maryland-1 P. Mike Jurry CDC 2017 [4][3]
Maryland-2 Anthony F. Williams CPP 2023 [3]
Maryland-3 Austin Blidi Taylor IND 2023 [3]
Montserrado-1 Rugie Yatu Barry CPP 2023 [3]
Montserrado-2 Sekou S. Kanneh UP 2023 Kanneh was elected in 2011 but was not re-elected in 2017.[8][4][3]
Montserrado-3 Sumo Kollie Mulbah ALP 2023 [3]
Montserrado-4 Michael M. Thomas IND 2023 [3]
Montserrado-5 Prescilla A. Cooper UP 2023 [3]
Montserrado-6 Samuel R. Enders IND 2017 [4][3]
Montserrado-7 Emmanuel Dahn IND 2023 [3]
Montserrado-8 Prince A. Toles UP 2023 [3]
Montserrado-9 Frank Saah Foko Jr. CDC 2020 [9][3]
Montserrado-10 Yekeh Y. Kolubah IND 2017 [4][3]
Montserrado-11 Richard Nagbe Koon UP 2017 [4][3]
Montserrado-12 Jerry K. Yogboh IND 2023 [3]
Montserrado-13 Edward P. Flomo CDC 2018 [10][3]
Montserrado-14 Kerkula Muka Kamara CDC 2023 [3]
Montserrado-15 Abu Bana Kamara CDC 2019 [11]
Montserrado-16 Dixon W. Seboe CDC 2017 [4][3]
Montserrado-17 Bernard Blue Benson CDC 2023 [3]
Nimba-1 Samuel N. Brown Sr. IND 2021 [5][3]
Nimba-2 Nyahn Garsaye Flomo CPP 2023 [3]
Nimba-3 Nehker E. Gaye MDR 2023 [3]
Nimba-4 Ernest M. Manseah Sr. MDR 2023 [3]
Nimba-5 Samuel G. Kogar PUP 2011 [8][4][3]
Nimba-6 Dorwohn Twain Gleekia MDR 2017 [4][3]
Nimba-7 Musa Hassan Bility CPP 2023 [3]
Nimba-8 Saye S. Mianah MDR 2023 [3]
Nimba-9 Taa Wongbe IND 2023 [3]
River Gee-1 Alexander Poure CDC 2017 [4][3]
River Gee-2 Isaac B. Choloplay Wuo CDC 2023 [3]
River Gee-3 Johnson S. N. Williams Sr. CDC 2023 [3]
Rivercess-1 Alex J. Grant IND 2023 [3]
Rivercess-2 Steve Tequah IND 2023 [3]
Sinoe-1 Thomas Romeo Quioh NDC 2023 [3]
Sinoe-2 Samson Quejue Wiah CDC 2020 [9][3]
Sinoe-3 Alex S. Noah CDC 2023 [3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Levy, P.; Spilling, M. (2008). Liberia. Cultures of the World – Group 16. Marshall Cavendish Benchmark. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-7614-3414-6. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  2. ^ Blaustein, A.P.; Flanz, G.H. (1983). Constitutions of the Countries of the World: Liberia. Constitutions of the Countries of the World: A Series of Updated Texts, Constitutional Chronologies and Annotated Bibliographies. Oceana Publications. p. 27. ISBN 9780379004670. Retrieved 21 October 2018. The enacting style shall be: "It is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia in Legislature assembled." Article 30 Citizens of Liberia who meet the following qualifications are eligible to become members of ...
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs "2023 House of REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "2017 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2017. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "2021 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY-ELECTIONS RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2021. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "2024 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY-ELECTIONS RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "2005 Election Results". National Elections Commission. 2005. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "2011 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2011. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "2020 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY-ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2020. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  10. ^ "Liberia: CDC National Youth League Concedes Defeat in District #13 By-election; Congratulates Edward Flomo on His Preferement". FrontPage Africa. November 22, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  11. ^ "Liberia: Telia Urey Concedes Early Defeat in District 15 By-elections". FrontPage Africa. August 28, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2024.

6°18′06″N 10°47′45″W / 6.30167°N 10.79583°W / 6.30167; -10.79583

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=House_of_Representatives_of_Liberia&oldid=1267571752"