PHOTO: Dr. Mogana Flomo wants amendment thwarted
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia: With over one year to the 2023 general elections in the country, a former Agriculture Minister has described as “abnormal” recent increment in the registration of candidates wishing to contest for legislative seats in their consistency.
Speaking to Journalists in the central Bong County recently, Dr. Mogana S. Flomo, Jr. stressed that the increment in the registration fees for candidates is not normal.
He condemned the action of the lawmakers, calling for a re-visit of the amendment.
“In my mind, this is an attempt to disenfranchise others who might not be economically strong; and they have interest in participating in the electoral process. There are people who could become a very good leader, but could not raise the needed money for registration,” Dr. Flomo pointed out.
“I don’t know where that decision is coming from, but I see it to keep denying people of contesting,” he added.
Recently, the House of Representatives voted to amend a specified portion of the New Elections Law of 2014.
That august body initially passed fifteen thousand dollars for presidential aspirant registration fees, ten thousand for Vice Presidential registration, seven thousand five hundred for senatorial aspirant, and five thousand for representative hopeful registration, respectively.
But following public outcry, the lawmakers somersaulted their decision by amending those provisions to five thousand dollars for presidential aspirant, three thousand for VP’s registration, one thousand five hundred for senatorial aspirant, and one thousand dollars for representative hopeful registration, respectively.
The provision was later forwarded to the Liberian senate for concurrence, as per constitutional provision.
However, Dr. Mogana S. Flomo Jr believe that the decision taken by the lower house is not in the interest of the ordinary people, arguing that it’s intended to deny what he considers as “good leaders who are working with limited capital”.
He wants the bill rejected by the Upper House to enhance cordiality in representation.
Other citizens criticize the Lawmakers’ move
Like Dr. Flomo, other citizens in Bong and beyond have also criticized the lawmakers’ decision.
They think by galloping the registration fees, some incumbent Lawmakers think this can help most of them to perpetuate themselves in power.
“Even you increase the money to one million or ten millions, those who have decimally performed will not be re-elected. We are tired with this bad leadership in this country,” some citizens expressed.
Other locals also think the move will help to limit the number of contestants across the country.
Dr. Mogana S. Flomo, Jr. contested in the 2020 senatorial election, garnering 4125 votes (5.38%).
He came third as an Independent candidate.
Former Representative Prince Kermue Moye of the Collaborating Political Parties obtained 39,337 votes (51.28%), while then incumbent, senator Henry Willie Yallah go 25,247 votes (32.91%) in the process for the next nine years.
Liberians are expected to go to the polls in October 2023 to elect 73 representatives, 15 senators and President and Vice President, respectively in fulfillment of a constitutional provision.