Published: October 22, 2024
MONROVIA – The Plenary of the House of Representatives has mandated that all members absent from today’s session, held on Tuesday, 22 October, must attend the forthcoming session scheduled for Thursday, 24 October. This decision comes as a direct response to the inability of the House to meet the required quorum, significantly hindering legislative progress.
Representative Musa Bility of Nimba County, Electoral District 7, cited Article 33 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution to support the motion, which underscores the necessity of a simple majority to conduct House business effectively. The article also provides for the power to compel absent members to attend sessions, ensuring that legislative duties are not stalled due to lack of attendance.
Chief Clerk Madam Mildred Sayon has been tasked with implementing the necessary measures to guarantee compliance with this directive. The session was overseen by Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, alongside Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, who acted as the co-presiding officer.
Earlier in the session, the absenteeism of 42 lawmakers led to an adjournment, revealing a stark division within the House as only 30 members were present.
Speaker Koffa expressed his displeasure and hinted at possible punitive actions against members who persistently neglect their duties. Meanwhile, Representative Bility’s proposal to adjourn was accepted, but he suggested that legal consultations might be necessary to address the recurring attendance issues comprehensively.
Meanwhile, a group of disenchanted lawmakers considering themselves the ‘majority bloc’ who have been opting for the removal of the Speaker held a parallel session in the joint chamber of the Legislature.
The group, comprising 43 lawmakers, has issued a call for Deputy Speaker Fallah to join them and preside over their session during their next sitting.
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