Sinoe County Senator J. Milton Teahjay is calling for the abolition of by-elections in Liberia, noting that it will help government save money that could be directed to development projects.
Senator Teahjay made the call recently in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County in remarks at the Regional Consultation on Electoral Reform organized by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
The Sinoe County lawmaker described by-election as a setback to the growth and development of Liberia because of huge amounts government spends to fund them.
Senator Teahjay in his presentation made specific reference to neighboring Sierra Leone, where by-election is not part of the constitution.
He suggested that if a lawmaker dies or resigns, for any reason, the political party he or she represents should decide and bring on board a successor to complete that lawmaker’s term as prescribed by law, noting that the system put in place in Sierra Leone can also be applied in Liberia to prevent government from spending huge sums of money on by-elections.
“Since the Weah-led government took over, about five different bye-elections have been conducted, and looking at the economic situation inherited from the past government, it is a serious factor that is depleting the country’s scarce resources,” Teahjay pointed out.
The lawmaker is of the belief that if by-election is abolished in Liberia it will help government move forward as the amount expended for a single by-election can be used in another area as the government is working tirelessly to achieve the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.
