ALCOD delegation with Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah
The All-Liberian Conference on Dual Citizenship (ALCOD) delegation held an audience with the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, on Friday, September 13, 2024 on how diaspora Liberians of voting ages can directly participate in future, national elections. The delegation also sought clarification about “absentee ballot” and “constituency” mentioned in Article 80 ‘C’ of the Liberian Constitution.
Article 80 ‘C’: “Every Liberian citizen shall have the right to be registered in a constituency, and to vote in public elections only in the constituency where registered, either in person or by absentee ballot; provided that such citizen shall have the right to change his voting constituency as may be prescribed by the Legislature.”
The ALCOD delegation wonders when the constitution talks of “absentee ballot” and “constituency” is it referring to Liberians in the diaspora or Liberians within the geographical locations of Liberia. This is the clarification ALCOD seeks.
The NEC said it takes note of ALCOD’s concern and hopes to address it in the future. On a side note, the NEC Chairperson also talked about the possible financial and infrastructure constraints to implement “out-of-country voting,” which is another concern of the diaspora umbrella group. The ALCOD delegation promised to help rally both diaspora Liberians and international partners to support “out-of-country voting” if the NEC decides to implement it. The ALCOD delegation was headed by its Co-Chairman, Mr. Kingston Wleh.
While they may have held some talks on those two terminologies in Article 80 ‘C’, ALCOD’s legal team is expected to officially write the NEC to seek clarification on “absentee ballot” and “constituency” in Article 80 ‘C’.
Legal experts believe that clarification on “absentee ballot” and “constituency” must be made by the Supreme Court and not the NEC; so, ALCOD legal team is prepared to also contact the nation’s highest court.
ALCOD is also implementing a parallel plan for legislative changes, in the event both the NEC and the Supreme Court state that “absentee ballot” and “constituency” in Article 80 ‘C’ of the Liberian Constitution are referring to only Liberians within the geographical locations of Liberia.
ALCOD is now focusing on “out-of-country voting” after successfully achieving dual citizenship and making “Once A Liberian Always A Liberian” a law of the land.
Background
ALCOD started the campaign advocating for dual citizenship in December 2012 and achieved it in July 2022. ALCOD is diaspora Liberians’ premier organization advocating for dual citizenship and out-of-country voting.
On Thursday, November 11, 2021, the House of Representatives passed into law the Act amending the country’s Alien and Nationality Law.
The Act, which was co-sponsored by 30 lawmakers from the House, was read in plenary on November 2, 2021. It sought to amend Part III, Chapter 20, Section 20.1; Chapter 21, Sections 21.30, 21.31, 21.51 & 21.52 and Chapter 22, Sections 22.1, 22.1 & 22.4 of the Aliens and Nationality Law of the Liberian Code of Law Revised, Vol. II. This was done under the auspices of ALCOD, representing more than 500,000 Liberians living in the diaspora.
Following the passage in the House, the Senate on Friday, May 19, 2022, concurred with the House to amend provisions of Liberian Aliens and Nationality Law, which caused automatic loss of Liberian citizenship. The Senate’s amendment essentially confirms a famous saying of ALCOD, “Once a Liberian, Always a Liberian.”
Few weeks following the enactment of the law on July 22, 2022, ALCOD disclosed that more than 1000 Liberians with dual citizenship obtained their ‘Ordinary Liberian Passport’. According to ALCOD, with wide publicity on getting passports, it is expected that about 15,000 Liberians with dual citizenship are expected to get their passport by the end of 2026.
The diaspora Liberian umbrella group further said that before the passage of the law, Liberians with dual citizenship could not vote in any national elections. “Liberians with dual citizenship are now obtaining national ID card and also are voting. In the 2023 Presidential and General Elections, over 2000 Liberians with dual citizenship voted.”
