By K. Ericson Sayee
MONROVIA, July 5 (LINA) – The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to amend Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of Liberia’s National Code of Conduct, removing the phrase “desires to canvass or contest”.
Lawmakers said the phrase has long created uncertainty over the eligibility of appointed public officials seeking elected office.
The legislation, introduced by Montserrado County Electoral District #12 Representative Jerry Yogboh, met the consensus of members of the House during the 15th Day Sitting of the Second Quarter of the Third Session, held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as plenary adopted the report of a Joint Committee that reviewed the proposal.
The report from a Specialized Committee recommended to plenary to pass the bill as it would eliminate ambiguities that have complicated the interpretation and enforcement of the Code of Conduct during previous election years.
According to the Committee, during the hearings, held June 22, 2026, the National Elections Commission was represented by its head Jonathan K. Weedor while the Governance Commission was represented by Prof. Alaric Tokpah, however, the Law Reform Commission requested an excuse due to an engagement at the Executive Mansion, but committed to providing an expert opinion on the proposed amendment through the office of the Chief Clerk.
Following its passage, the bill was forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence, and if approved by the Senate, it will be sent to the President for signature before being effectuated into law.
The National Code of Conduct, particularly Sections 5.1 and 5.2 govern the involvement of appointed officials, especially their role in electoral activities, which requires the resignation of those officials within the prescribed periods before projecting themselves for elected posts.
But lawmakers said the phrase “desires to canvass or contest” has been at the center of controversy in terms of its legal disputes.
According to the Committee, controversies over the meaning of that phrase have contributed to several election-related court cases during the 2017 and 2023 General and Presidential Elections. The report added that the disagreements have created uncertainty about when an appointed official is deemed to have triggered the resignation requirement.
The proposed amendment does not remove the mandatory resignation requirement. But instead, it deletes the disputed phrase while reaffirming that all officials covered under the law must still resign within the timelines already established before seeking elected office.
It added that officials under Section 5.2(a) will continue to resign at least two years before an election, while those under Section 5.2(b) must resign at least three years before election Day.
Presenting its report, the Specialized Committee said the amendment would strengthen the implementation of the National Code of Conduct by promoting clarity, consistency, and legal certainty for election administrators, public officials, political parties, and the judiciary.
Making the motion, Rep. James Kolleh recommended that such a report be endorsed and accepted. He calls on his colleagues to pass the bill and that it be sent to the Senate for legislative action.
After the motion, members of the House agreed and voted to adopt the committee’s recommendations and pass the bill, which now awaits consideration by the Liberian Senate.