Published: November 6, 2026
MONROVIA — The Voices of the Elders of Liberia (VOTE) has challenged a proposed electoral district apportionment bill, accusing the House of Representatives of exceeding its constitutional authority, as the organization marked its fifth anniversary with renewed calls for national peace, unity and political stability.
The organization raised concerns over the proposed legislation during its anniversary celebration in Monrovia, where it also unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening institutional development, promoting constitutional governance and advancing national reconciliation.
The celebration brought together several prominent Liberians, including Sister Mary Lawrence, former Foreign Affairs Minister Olubanke King-Akerele, former Education Minister Dr. Evelyn Kandakai and senior VOTE member Rupel Marshall, among others.
Speaking at the event, Marshall questioned the constitutional basis of the proposed electoral district apportionment legislation, arguing that the House of Representatives had assumed responsibilities beyond its constitutional mandate.
According to Marshall, the determination of electoral district boundaries must follow established constitutional provisions to safeguard the integrity of Liberia’s electoral system and ensure fairness in political representation.
He maintained that any attempt to restructure electoral districts without adhering to constitutional requirements could undermine public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
Marshall instead proposed establishing a population threshold of 72,000 people per electoral district, describing the recommendation as a possible approach to addressing longstanding concerns over equitable political representation.
He emphasized that electoral reforms must be guided by constitutional principles rather than political considerations.
As part of its opposition to the proposed legislation, VOTE disclosed that it had formally communicated its concerns to the speaker of the House of Representatives, requesting a review of the process to ensure compliance with the Liberian Constitution.
The organization maintained that decisions affecting electoral representation should be subjected to appropriate constitutional scrutiny to prevent potential legal and political disputes.
Meanwhile, VOTE used its fifth-anniversary celebration to unveil a comprehensive five-year strategic plan outlining initiatives intended to strengthen national peace, political stability, institutional capacity and sustainable development.
The plan includes expanded engagement with political leaders, advocacy for peaceful democratic processes and efforts to promote national cohesion.
Speaking during the celebration, former Education Minister Dr. Evelyn Kandakai disclosed that members of the organization had agreed to engage presidential candidates ahead of future elections, encouraging them to prioritize peace, national unity and political stability.
Kandakai explained that the planned engagements would provide an opportunity for experienced national leaders to remind presidential aspirants of their responsibilities to promote peaceful political participation and avoid actions that could threaten Liberia’s stability.
She said the initiative forms part of VOTE’s broader commitment to strengthening democratic governance and sustaining peace in Liberia.
The former education minister emphasized the importance of continued dialogue among political actors, particularly during election periods, when political tensions can threaten national cohesion.
Beyond its political and governance advocacy, VOTE also announced plans to support education by providing chairs for students at the state-run University of Liberia.
The organization described the proposed intervention as part of its commitment to improving learning conditions and contributing to educational development.
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