LIBERIA: Constitutional Referendum
On 23. August Liberia will hold a national referendum on proposed amendments to the Constitution.
General elections are also scheduled to take place 23. August (possibly postponed until November).
At stake in this referendum:
The referendum will amend four articles of Liberia’s constitution.
Description of government structure:
•Chief of State: President Ellen JOHNSON-SIRLEAF
•Head of Government: President Ellen JOHNSON-SIRLEAF
Description of electoral system:
•The President is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system to serve a 6-year term.
•In the Senate, 15 members are elected by plurality vote in multi-member constituencies to serve 9-year terms and 15 members are elected by plurality vote in multi-member constituencies to serve 6-year terms*. In the House of Representatives 64 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 6-year terms.
Main provisions in the Referendum:
A provision to shorten the residency requirement for the president and vice-president.
A provision to increase the mandatory retirement age for all justices to seventy-five.
A provision to change the date of elections for the presidency and National Assembly.
A provision to change the electoral system for the presidency and National Assembly.
For more information, please visit IFES Election Guide's Liberia page, or Liberias electoral commission.
To share your views on the role and experiences of women throughout this referendum, please use the comment section below.
Women candidates in Liberia face obstacles
There will be few women on the ballot posts in the upcoming Liberian elections, VOA predicts. Women are encouraged to register by the electoral commission, but are facing several difficulties, also within the political parties themselves. People are starting to change their peception on women in politics after the 'Iron Lady' gained the presidential seat, but it takes time for this to affect the party lists.
Read more on iKNOW Politics.
Women helps Liberian women gain political 'know-how'
In front of the upcoming elections in Liberia, a groundbreaking initiative is taking place. 450 Liberian women is now encouraging women throughout Liberia to become leaders for solutions and innovation.
“Around the world women have a lower human and capital resource endowment than men: they often have fewer social networks linked to power than men, less education, less experience and less money,” says UN Women Peace and Security Chief Advisor Dr. Anne-Marie Goetz. “Networks and money are critical for effective political competition.”
Read more about this on iKNOW Politics
Opposition parties in Liberia calls for referendum boycott
A news review of the Liberian elections conducted by 'Africa Election Project' reveals that there are diverse views on the referendum scheduled in August. Most opposition politicians are opposed to the referendum, some calls it unconstitutional, and some have already announced that they will boycott it. Is the planned referendum a move too bold by Africas first elected female president? Give your opinion on this page.
For more information on the current news, visit African Elections Project.
Liberias Sirleaf-Johnson is confident she will win another term
"I am confident that I will win the elections," the president said during celebrations of the anniversary of Liberia's 1847 founding as an independent state.
The election is due to be held in either October or November and Johnson-Sirleaf, 72, is likely to come up against rivals including George Weah, the ex-soccer star who took her to a run-off in 2005.
Read more on iKNOW Politics
Women candidates in Liberia face obstacles
There will be few women on the ballot posts in the upcoming Liberian elections, VOA predicts. Women are encouraged to register by the electoral commission, but are facing several difficulties, also within the political parties themselves. People are starting to change their peception on women in politics after the 'Iron Lady' gained the presidential seat, but it takes time for this to affect the party lists.
Read more on iKNOW Politics.
Women helps Liberian women gain political 'know-how'
In front of the upcoming elections in Liberia, a groundbreaking initiative is taking place. 450 Liberian women is now encouraging women throughout Liberia to become leaders for solutions and innovation.
“Around the world women have a lower human and capital resource endowment than men: they often have fewer social networks linked to power than men, less education, less experience and less money,” says UN Women Peace and Security Chief Advisor Dr. Anne-Marie Goetz. “Networks and money are critical for effective political competition.”
Read more about this on iKNOW Politics
Opposition parties in Liberia calls for referendum boycott
A news review of the Liberian elections conducted by 'Africa Election Project' reveals that there are diverse views on the referendum scheduled in August. Most opposition politicians are opposed to the referendum, some calls it unconstitutional, and some have already announced that they will boycott it. Is the planned referendum a move too bold by Africas first elected female president? Give your opinion on this page.
For more information on the current news, visit African Elections Project.
Liberias Sirleaf-Johnson is confident she will win another term
"I am confident that I will win the elections," the president said during celebrations of the anniversary of Liberia's 1847 founding as an independent state.
The election is due to be held in either October or November and Johnson-Sirleaf, 72, is likely to come up against rivals including George Weah, the ex-soccer star who took her to a run-off in 2005.
Read more on iKNOW Politics