Published: January 15, 2026
MONROVIA, Liberia — Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has thrown his support behind Bong County Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah’s call for lawmakers in the House of Representatives to shift from traditional “yea” and “nay” votes to recorded voting, a move aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in legislative proceedings.
Historic Push for Reform
During a heated House plenary session on Tuesday, January 13, a debate erupted between House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and Rep. Briggs-Mensah over whether members should vote verbally or have their votes officially recorded.
The Bong County lawmaker argued that the current “yea” and “nay” system conceals lawmakers’ true positions, bundling together those who opposed decisions with those who supported them but are not reflected in the official record.
“Take your committees them I’ll not die ehn you say you been planning for me,” Briggs-Mensah emphasized, insisting that reforms in legislative voting procedures be documented.
Rep. Briggs-Mensah
Senator Dillon Cites Senate Precedent
Senator Dillon, who chairs the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, praised Briggs-Mensah’s stance, recalling his own efforts to push for recorded voting in the Senate after assuming office in 2019.
He noted that the Senate faced persistent challenges but ultimately began voting on record in January 2022.
“No more oral and mere ‘Yea or Nay’ votes on crucial and important matters at the Senate,” Dillon said. “No one can hide from or deny their votes under ‘yea or nay’ any longer.”
Since then, Dillon highlighted, the Senate has conducted recorded votes on critical issues, including confirmations of public officials, ratification of international agreements, and other major national decisions.
Call for House Transparency
Senator Dillon urged the House to follow the Senate’s example, stressing that lawmakers should not evade responsibility for their votes.
“The House of Representatives should end the practice where lawmakers hide behind ‘yea or nay’ votes. Lawmakers should have nothing to hide from the people,” Dillon said.
Rep. Briggs-Mensah’s push for recorded voting has sparked discussions on reforming legislative procedures, with Dillon’s endorsement lending momentum to the initiative.
Discussion about this post