The Liberian Constitution and Election Laws Forum

A Non-Partisan Political Forum Devoted to Education and Discourse on the Liberian Constitution and Election Laws

We have published below the full text of the Constitution of Liberia. We have made the document navigable and easy to access. You may go directly to any Chapter or Article by simply clicking on its title in the Table of Contents. The number to the right of each Chapter and Article is the page number as it appears in the official publication.

APPROVED REVISED DRAFT CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREAMBLE 1

CHAPTER I STRUCTURE OF THE STATE 2

CHAPTER II GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF NATIONAL POLICY 3

CHAPTER III FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS 5

CHAPTER IV CITIZENSHIP 14

CHAPTER V THE LEGISLATURE 14

CHAPTER VI THE EXECUTIVE 22

CHAPTER VII THE JUDICIARY 27

CHAPTER VIII POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS 31

CHAPTER IX EMERGENCY POWERS 37

CHAPTER X AUTONOMOUS PUBLIC COMMISSIONS 39

CHAPTER XI MISCELLANEOUS 40

CHAPTER XII AMENDMENTS 40

CHAPTER XIII TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS 41

SCHEDULE 40

APPROVED REVISED DRAFT

CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

ARRANGEMENT OF ARTICLES

PREAMBLE

CHAPTER I STRUCTURE OF THE STATE

Article 1. Power of the People 2

Article 2. Supremacy of the Constitution 2

Article 3. Counties of the Republic and Form and Branches of Government 2

CHAPTER II GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF NATIONAL POLICY

Article 4. Effects of General Principles and Policy 3

Article 5. Principles on Unity and Culture 3

Article 6. Principles on Equality in Educational Opportunities 3

Article 7. Principles on Management of National Economy 4

Article 8. Principles on Non-discrimination in Employment Opportunities 4

Article 9. Principles on Regional and Bilateral Cooperation 4

Article 10. Publication, Dissemination and Teaching of the Constitution 4

CHAPTER III FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Article 11.

a. Right to Life, Liberty, Security and Property 5

b. Entitlement to Fundamental Rights 5

c. Right to Equal Protection of the Law 5

Article 12. Prohibition Against Slavery and Forced Labor 5

Article 13.

a. Right to Freedom of Movement 5

b. Right to Leave and Enter the Republic and Extradition of

Liberian Citizens and Non-Liberian Residents 5

Article 14. Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion 6

Article 15.

a. Right to Freedom of Expression 6

b. Scope of Right to Freedom of Expression 6

c. Right of Public to be Informed 6

d. Right of Access to State Owned Media 7

e. Limitation of Freedom of Expression 7

Article 16. Right to Privacy 7

Article 17. Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association 7

Article 18. Right to Equal Opportunity for Work and Employment 7

Article 19. Right not to be Subject to Military Law 8

Article 20.

a. Right to Jury Trial and Due Process of Law 8

b. Right to Appeal 8

Article 21

a. Prohibition of Retroactive Law, Bill of Attainder and

Ex Post Facto Law 8

b. Prohibition Against Illegal Search or Seizure 8

c. Right to be Informed of Charges and

Right to Remain Silent 9

d. i. Right to Bail 9

ii. Prohibition Against Excessive Bail, Fines and Punishment 9

e. Prohibition Against Torture or Inhumane Treatment 9

f. Right to be Presented before Court 9

g. Right to Writ of Habeas Corpus 10

h. Right to an Indictment by a Grand Jury when Charged with

Infamous or Capital Offense 10

i. Inviolability of Right to Counsel 10

j. Right to Enjoyment of Civil Rights and Liberties After

Service of Penalty or Upon Pardon 11

Article 22.

a. Right to Own Property 11

b. Scope of Right to Own Property 11

c. Right of Non-Citizen Missionary, Educational and

Benevolent Institutions to Own Real Property 11

d. Right of Republic to Convey Real Property

To Foreign Government 11

Article 23.

a. Property Right of Spouse in or After Marriage 12

b. Legislative Enactment of Laws on Devolution of Estates 12

Article 24.

a. Right of Republic to Expropriate Private Property 12

b. Forfeiture of Property Right by Denaturalized Citizens 13

c. Prohibition Against Inclusion of Forfeiture of Right of

Inheritance in Punishment for Crime 12

Article 25. Prohibition Against Impairment of Right to Contract 13

Article 26. Right to Sue the Republic or other Persons for Fundamental

Rights Violations 13

CHAPTER IV CITIZENSHIP

Article 27

a. Citizenship on Coming info Force of Constitution 14

b. Eligibility for Citizenship by Birth and Naturalization

Restricted to Negroes 14

c. Legislature to Prescribe Standard for Citizenship 14

Article 28 Right to Citizenship 14

CHAPTER V THE LEGISLATURE

Article 29. Establishment of Legislature 14

Article 30. Qualifications for Membership of Legislature 15

Article 31. Oath of Members 15

Article 32.

a. Sessions of Legislature 15

b. Right of President to Extend Session for Emergency 15

Article 33. Quorum 16

Article 34. Powers of Legislature 16

Article 35. Veto of Proposed Legislation by President 18

Article 36. Remuneration for Members of Legislature 18

Article 37. By-Election to Fill Vacancy 18

Article 38. Power of Legislature to Adopt Own Rules 19

Article 39. Legislature to Authorize Census 19

Article 40. Adjournment of Legislature 19

Article 41. Languages to Conduct Business 19

Article 42. Immunity of Members of Legislature 19

Article 43. Impeachment Power of Legislature 20

Article 44. Contempt of the Legislature 20

Article 45. Term of Office of Senators 20

Article 46. Staggering of Senatorial Terms 21

Article 47. Election of Officers of Senate 21

Article 48. Term of Office of Members of House of Representatives 21

Article 49. Election of Officers of House of Representatives 21

CHAPTER VI THE EXECUTIVE

Article 50. Establishment of the Office of President and Tenure of

Office of President 19

Article 51. Establishment of the Office of Vice President and

Prescribing Term of Office 19

Article 52. Qualifications for Election to Office of President and

Vice President 19

Article 53. Oath of President and Vice President 19

Article 54. Appointment Power of Vice President 20

Article 55. Appointment Power of President of Notaries Public

And Justices of the Peace 20

Article 56.

a. Removal Power of the President 20

b. Elections and Removal of Chiefs 20

Article 57. Presidential Power to Conduct Foreign Affairs 21

Article 58. President to Present Annual Legislative Programs 21

Article 59. Power of President to Pardon 21

Article 60. Compensation for President and Vice President 21

Article 61. Immunity of President 21

Article 62. Removal of President and Vice President from Office 21

Article 63.

a. Accession to Presidency by Vice President-Elect

After Death or Inability of President-Elect 22

b. Completion of an Unexpired Presidential Term by Vice President 22

c. Guidelines and Procedures to Declare the President Incapable to

Carry out the Duties of His Office 22

d. Power of President to Nominate a Vice President 22

Article 64. Accession to the Presidency in the Event of Vacancy In Offices of

The President and the Vice President 22

Article 65. Vesting of Judicial Powers in the Supreme Court 23

Article 66. Supreme Court to Have Final Appellate Jurisdiction 23

Article 67. Composition of Supreme Court 23

Article 68. Qualifications for Appointment as Justices of Supreme Court 23

Article 69. Qualifications for Appointment as Judges of Subordinate Courts 24

Article 70. Oaths of Justices and Judges 24

Article 71. Tenure and Impeachment of Justices and Judges 24

Article 72.

a. Salaries and Allowance of Justices and Judges 24

b. Retirement Age of Justices and Judges 24

Article 73. Immunity of Justices and Judges 25

Article 74. Contempt Power of Courts 25

Article 75. Power of Supreme Court to Make Rules of Court and Prescribe

Code of Conduct for Lawyers 25

Article 76. Treason

a. Definition of Treason 25

b. Legislature to Prescribe Punishment for Treason 26

CHAPTER VIII POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS

Article 77.

a. Establishment of Political Parties 27

b. Conduct of Elections and Eligibility Criteria for

The Exercise of the Right to Vote 27

Article 78. Definition of "Association" "Political Parties" and "Independent Candidate"

27

Article 79.

a. Criteria for Registration as a Political Party or Independent Candidate

27

b. Membership of Political Party or Independent Candidate's Organization 28

c. Location of Headquarters of Political Party and Independent Candidate 28

d. Limitation on Name, Objective, Emblem and Motto of Political Party

And Independent Candidate 28

e. Constitution and Rules of Political Party and Independent Candidate 28

Article 80.

a. Power of Elections Commission to Deny Registration of Political Party

Or Independent Candidate 28

b. Power of Elections Commission to Revoke Registration of Political

Party or Independent Candidate 28

c. Right of Citizen to Vote and Change Constituency 28

d. Creation and Limitation of Constituency 29

e. Right of Elections Commission to Reapportion Constituencies 29

Article 81.

Right of Citizen, Political Party, Organization or Association to Canvass

for Votes in an Election 29

Article 82.

a. Right of Citizen, Association or Organization to Contribute Funds to

Political Party or Independent Candidate 29

b. Prohibition on Possession of Funds Outside the Republic or

Contribution From Outside the Republic to any Political Party or

Independent Candidate 29

c. Power of Elections Commission to Examine and Audit the Books of

Political Parties or Independent Candidates 29

Article 83.

a. Time for Conducting General Elections 30

b. Elections of Public Officers to be Determined by Absolute Majority 30

c. Power of Elections Commission to Declare Results of Elections and

Right of Appeal by Any Aggrieved Party or Candidate 30

d. Publication of Statements of Assets and Liabilities by Political Parties and

Independent Candidates 30

Article 84. Legislature to Provide Penalties for Violation of Chapter and Enact Laws in

Furtherance of Constitution 31

CHAPTER IX EMERGENCY POWERS

Article 85. Power of President to Order Armed Forces into State of Combat Readiness 32

Article 86

a. Power of President to Declare State of Emergency 32

b. Conditions Under which State of Emergency may be Declared 32

Article 87.

a. Limitations on Use of Emergency Powers 32

b. Right to Writ of Habeas Corpus not Affected by State of Emergency 32

Article 88. The Establishment of Autonomous Public Commissions and Power of

Legislature to Enact Laws for their Governance 32

CHAPTER X AUTONOMOUS PUBLIC COMMISSIONS

Article 89. The Establishment of Autonomous Public Commissions and Power of

Legislature to Enact Laws for their Governance 34

CHAPTER XI MISCELLANEOUS

Article 90. a. Prohibition Against Conflict of Interest 35

b. Prohibition Against Public Officials Demanding and Receiving

Perquisites for Duties Legally Required 35

c. Power of Legislature to Prescribe Code of Conduct Against

Conflict of Interest 35

CHAPTER XII AMENDMENTS

Article 91. Initiation and Process of Amendment 36

Article 92. Publication of Proposal for Amendment and Separately Itemizing

Amendments Sought 36

Article 93. Limitation of Presidential Terms of Office 36

CHAPTER XIII TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 94.

a. Persons Elected Prior to Promulgation of Constitution to be

Considered Duly Elected Under Constitution 37

b. Swearing in of Newly Elected President on April 12, 1985 and

Coming into Force of Constitution 37

c. Convening of Newly Elected Legislature 37

d. Position of Persons Appointed Prior to Coming into

Force of the Constitution 37

Article 95.

a. Abrogation of Constitution of July 26, 1847 37

b. Status of Treaties, Executive and Other Agreements Concluded by

Prior Governments 38

c. Status of Foreign and Domestic Debts Concluded by

Prior Governments 38

Article 96.

a. Continuity of Judiciary After the Coming Into Force of the

Constitution and Power of President to Appoint 38

b. Legal Proceedings Concluded not to be Commenced Anew 38

Article 97.

a. Prohibition Against Question in Judicial or Other Forums of Actions

Taken by or in the Name of People's Redemption Council 39

b. Prohibition Against Court Entertaining any Action which Brought

Change of Government on April 12, 1980 or any Other Act by

People's Redemption Council 39

SCHEDULE

Schedule to Form Integral Part of Constitution

Oaths for Public Officials

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We the People of the Republic of Liberia:

Acknowledging our devout gratitude to God for our existence as a Free, Sovereign

and Independent State, and relying on His Divine Guidance for our survival as a

Nation;

Realizing from many experiences during the course of our national existence

which culminated in the Revolution of April 2, 1980, when our Constitution of

July 26, 1847 was suspended, that all of our people, irrespective of history,

tradition, creed or ethnic background are of one common body politic;

Exercising our natural, inherent and inalienable rights to establish a framework

of government for the purpose of promoting unity, liberty, peace, stability,

equality, justice and human rights under the rule of law, with opportunities for

political, social, moral, spiritual and cultural advancement of our society, for

ourselves and for our posterity; and

Having resolved to live in harmony, to practice fraternal love, tolerance and

understanding as a people and being fully mindful of our obligation to promote

African unity and international peace and cooperation,

Do hereby solemnly make, establish, proclaim and publish this Constitution for

the governance of the Republic of Liberia.

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CHAPTER I

All power is inherent in the people. All free governments are instituted by

their authority and for their benefit and they have the right to alter and

reform the same when their safety and happiness so require. In order to ensure

democratic government which responds to the wishes of the governed, the people

shall have the right at such period, and in such manner as provided for under

this Constitution, to cause their public servants to leave office and to fill

vacancies by regular elections and appointments.

This Constitution is the supreme and fundamental law of Liberia and its

provisions shall have binding force and effect on all authorities and persons

throughout the Republic.

Any laws, treaties, statutes, decrees, customs and regulations found to be

inconsistent with it shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void and of

no legal effect. The Supreme Court, pursuant to its power of judicial review, is

empowered to declare any inconsistent laws unconstitutional.

Liberia is a unitary sovereign state divided into counties for administrative

purposes. The form of government is Republican with three separate coordinate

branches: the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary. Consistent with the

principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, no person holding

office in one of these branches shall hold office in or exercise any of the

powers assigned to either of the other two branches except as otherwise provided

in this Constitution; and no person holding office in one of the said branches

shall serve on any autonomous public agency.

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CHAPTER II

The principles contained in this Chapter shall be fundamental in the governance

of the Republic and shall serve as guidelines in the formulation of legislative,

executive and administrative directives, policy-making and their execution.

The Republic shall:

a) aim at strengthening the national integration and unity of the people of

Liberia, regardless of ethnic, regional or other differences, into one body

politic; and the Legislature shall enact laws promoting national unification and

the encouragement of all citizens to participate in government;

b) preserve, protect and promote positive Liberian culture, ensuring that

traditional values which are compatible with public policy and national progress

are adopted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the

Liberian society;

c) take steps, by appropriate legislation and executive orders, to eliminate

sectionalism and tribalism, and such abuses of power as the misuse of government

resources, nepotism and all other corrupt practices.

The Republic shall, because of the vital role assigned to the individual citizen

under this Constitution for the social, economic and political well-being of

Liberia, provide equal access to educational opportunities and facilities for

all citizens to the extent of available resources. Emphasis shall be placed on

the mass education of the Liberian people and the elimination of illiteracy.

The Republic shall, consistent with the principles of individual freedom and

social justice enshrined in this Constitution, manage the national economy and

the natural resources of Liberia in such manner as shall ensure the maximum

feasible participation of Liberian citizens under conditions of equality as to

advance the general welfare of the Liberian people and the economic development

of Liberia.

The Republic shall direct its policy towards ensuring for all citizens, without

discrimination, opportunities for employment and livelihood under just and

humane conditions, and towards promoting safety, health and welfare facilities

in employment.

The Republic shall encourage the promotion of bilateral and regional cooperation

between and among Liberia and other nations and the formation and maintenance of

regional organizations aimed at the cultural, social, political and economic

development of the peoples of Africa and other nations of the world.

The Republic shall ensure the publication and dissemination of this Constitution

throughout the Republic and the teaching of its principles and provisions in all

institutions of Learning in Liberia.

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CHAPTER III

a) All persons are born equally free and independent and have certain natural,

inherent and inalienable rights, among which are the right of enjoying and

defending life and liberty, of pursuing and maintaining the security of the

person and of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, subject to such

qualifications as provided for in this Constitution.

b) All persons, irrespective of ethnic background, race, sex, creed, place of

origin or political opinion, are entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms

of the individual, subject to such qualifications as provided for in this

Constitution.

c) All persons are equal before the law and are therefore entitled to the equal

protection of the law.

No person shall be held in slavery or forced labor within the Republic, nor

shall any citizen of Liberia nor any person resident therein deal in slaves or

subject any other person to forced labor, debt bondage or peonage; but labor

reasonably required in consequence of a court sentence or order conforming to

acceptable labor standards, service in the military, work or service which forms

part of normal civil obligations or service exacted in cases of emergency or

calamity threatening the life or well-being of the community shall not be deemed

forced labor.

a) Every person lawfully within the Republic shall have the right to move freely

throughout Liberia, to reside in any part thereof and to leave therefrom subject

however to the safeguarding of public security, public order, public health or

morals or the rights and freedoms of others.

b) Every Liberian citizen shall have the right to leave and to enter Liberia at

any time. Liberian citizens and non-Liberian residents may be extradited to a

foreign country for prosecution of a criminal offense in accordance with the

provisions of an extradition treaty or other reciprocal international agreements

in force. Non-Liberian residents may be expelled from the Republic of Liberia

for cause.

All persons shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and

no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment thereof except as may be required

by law to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental

rights and freedoms of others. All persons who, in the practice of their

religion, conduct themselves peaceably, not obstructing others and conforming to

the standards set out herein, shall be entitled to the protection of the law. No

religions denomination or sect shall have any exclusive privilege or preference

over any other, but all shall be treated alike; and no religious tests shall be

required for any civil or military office or for the exercise of any civil

right. Consistent with the principle of separation of religion and state, the

Republic shall establish no state religion.

a) Every person shall have the right to freedom of expression, being fully

responsible for the abuse thereof. This right shall not be curtailed, restricted

or enjoined by government save during an emergency declared in accordance with

this Constitution.

b) The right encompasses the right to hold opinions without interference and the

right to knowledge. It includes freedom of speech and of the press, academic

freedom to receive and impart knowledge and information and the right of

libraries to make such knowledge available. It includes non-interference with

the use of the mail, telephone and telegraph. It likewise includes the right to

remain silent.

c) In pursuance of this right, there shall be no limitation on the public right

to be informed about the government and its functionaries.

d) Access to state owned media shall not be denied because of any disagreement

with or dislike of the ideas express. Denial of such access may be challenged in

a court of competent jurisdiction.

e) This freedom may be limited only by judicial action in proceedings grounded

in defamation or invasion of the rights of privacy and publicity or in the

commercial aspect of expression in deception, false advertising and copyright

infringement.

No person shall be subjected to interference with his privacy of person, family,

home or correspondence except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

All persons, at all times, in an orderly and peaceable manner, shall have the

right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their

representatives, to petition the government or other functionaries for the

redress of grievances and to associate fully with others or refuse to associate

in political parties, trade unions and other organizations.

All Liberian citizens shall have equal opportunity for work and employment

regardless of sex, creed, religion, ethnic background, place of origin or

political affiliation, and all shall be entitled to equal pay for equal work.

No person other than members of the Armed Forces of Liberia or of the militia in

active service shall be subject to military law, or made to suffer any pains or

penalties by virtue of that law, or be tried by courts-martial.

a) No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the person,

property, privilege or any other right except as the outcome of a hearing

judgment consistent with the provisions laid down in this Constitution and in

accordance with due process of law. Justice shall be done without sale, denial

or delay; and in all cases not arising in courts not of record, under

courts-martial and upon impeachment, the parties shall have the right to trial

by jury.

b) The right of an appeal from a judgment, decree, decision or ruling of any

court or administrative board or agency, except the Supreme Court, shall be held

inviolable. The Legislature shall prescribe rules and procedures for the easy,

expeditious and inexpensive filing and hearing of an appeal.

a) No person shall be made subject to any law or punishment which was not in

effect at the time of commission of an offense, nor shall the Legislature enact

any bill of attainder or ex post facto law.

b) No person shall be subject to search or seizure of his person or property,

whether on a criminal charge or for any other purpose, unless upon warrant

lawfully issued upon probable cause supported by a solemn oath or affirmation,

specifically identifying the person or place to be searched and stating the

object of the search; provided, however, that a search or seizure shall be

permissible without a search warrant where the arresting authorities act during

the commission of a crime or in hot pursuit of a person who has committed a

crime.

c) Every person suspected or accused of committing a crime shall immediately

upon arrest be informed in detail of the charges, of the right to remain silent

and of the fact that any statement made could be used against him in a court of

law. Such person shall be entitled to counsel at every stage of the

investigation and shall have the right not to be interrogated except in the

presence of counsel. Any admission or other statements made by the accused in

the absence of such counsel shall be deemed inadmissible as evidence in a court

of law.

d) (i) All accused persons shall be bailable upon their personal recognizance or

by sufficient sureties, depending upon the gravity of the charge, unless charged

for capital offenses or grave offenses as defined by law.

(ii) Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor

excessive punishment inflicted.

e) No person charged, arrested, restricted, detained or otherwise held in

confinement shall be subject to torture or inhumane treatment; nor shall any

person except military personnel, be kept or confined in any military facility;

nor shall any person be seized and kept among convicted prisoners or treated as

a convict, unless such person first shall have been convicted of a crime in a

court of competent jurisdiction. The Legislature shall make it a criminal

offense and provide for appropriate penalties against any police or security

officer, prosecutor, administrator or any other public official acting in

contravention of this provision; and any person so damaged by the conduct of any

such public official shall have a civil remedy therefor, exclusive of any

criminal penalties imposed.

f) Every person arrested or detained shall be formally charged and presented

before a court of competent jurisdiction within forty-eight hours. Should the

court determine the existence of a prima facie case against the accused, it

shall issue a formal writ of arrest setting out the charge or charges and shall

provide for a speedy trial. There shall be no preventive detention.

g) The right to the writ of habeas corpus, being essential to the protection of

human rights, shall be guaranteed at all times, and any person arrested or

detained and not presented to court within the period specified may in

consequence exercise this right.

h) No person shall be held to answer for a capital or infamous crime except in

cases of impeachment, cases arising in the Armed Forces and petty offenses,

unless upon indictment by a Grand Jury; and in all such cases, the accused shall

have the right to a speedy, public and impartial trial by a jury of the

vicinity, unless such person shall, with appropriate understanding, expressly

waive the right to a jury trial. In all criminal cases, the accused shall have

the right to be represented by counsel of his choice, to confront witnesses

against him and to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor.

He shall not be compelled to furnish evidence against himself and he shall be

presumed innocent until the contrary is proved beyond a reasonable doubt. No

person shall be subject to double jeopardy.

i) The right to counsel and the rights of counsel shall be inviolable. There

shall be no interference with the lawyer-client relationship. In all trials,

hearings, interrogatories and other proceedings where a person is accused of a

criminal offense, the accused shall have the right to counsel of his choice; and

where the accused is unable to secure such representation, the Republic shall

make available legal aid services to ensure the protection of his rights.

There shall be absolute immunity from any government sanctions or interference

in the performance of legal services as a counsellor or advocate; lawyers'

offices and homes shall not be searched or papers examined or taken save

pursuant to a search warrant and court order; and no lawyer shall be prevented

from or punished for providing legal services, regardless of the charges against

or the guilt of his client. No lawyer shall be barred from practice for

political reasons.

j) Any person who, upon conviction of a criminal offense was deprived of the

enjoyment of his civil rights and liberties, shall have the same automatically

restored upon serving the sentence and satisfying any other penalty imposed, or

upon an executive pardon.

a) Every person shall have the right to own property alone as well as in

association with others; provided that only Liberian citizens shall have the

right to own real property within the Republic.

b) Private property rights, however, shall not extend to any mineral resources n

or beneath any land or to any lands under the seas and waterways of the

Republic. All mineral resources in and under the seas and other waterways shall

belong to the Republic and be used by and for the entire Republic.

c) Non-citizen missionary, educational and other benevolent institutions shall

have the right to own property, as long as that property is used for the

purposes for which acquired; property no longer so used shall escheat to the

Republic.

d) The Republic may, on the basis of reciprocity, convey to a foreign government

property to be used perpetually for its diplomatic activities. This land shall

not be transferred or otherwise conveyed to any other party or used for any

other purpose, except upon the expressed permission of the Government of

Liberia. All property so conveyed may escheat to the Republic in the event of a

cessation of diplomatic relations.

a) The property which a person possesses at the time of marriage or which may

afterwards be acquired as a result of one's own labors shall not be held for or

otherwise applied to the liquidation of the debts or other obligations of the

spouse, whether contracted before or after marriage; nor shall the property

which by law is to be secured to a man or a woman be alienated or be controlled

by that person's spouse save by free and voluntary consent.

b) The Legislature shall enact laws to govern the devolution of estates and

establish rights of inheritance and descent for spouses of both statutory and

customary marriages as to give adequate protection to surviving spouses and

children of such marriages.

a) While the inviolability of private property shall be guaranteed by the

Republic, expropriation may be authorized for the security of the nation in the

event of armed conflict or where the public health and safety are endangered or

for any other public purposes, provided:

(i) that reasons for such expropriation are given;

(ii) that there is prompt payment of just compensation;

(iii) that such expropriation or the compensation offered may be challenged

freely by the owner of the property in a court of law with no penalty for having

brought such action; and

(iv) that when property taken for public use ceases to be so used, the Republic

shall accord the former owner or those entitled to the property through such

owner, the right of first refusal to reacquire the property.

b) All real property held by a person whose certificate of naturalization has

been cancelled shall escheat to the Republic, unless such person shall have a

spouse and/or lineal heirs who are Liberian citizens, in which case the real

property shall be transferred to them in accordance with the intestacy law.

c) The power of the Legislature to provide punishment for treason or other

crimes shall not include a deprivation or forfeiture of the right of

inheritance, although its enjoyment by the convicted person shall be postponed

during a term of imprisonment judicially imposed; provided that if the convicted

person has minor children and a spouse, the spouse or next of kin in the order

of priority shall administer the same. No punishment shall preclude the

inheritance, enjoyment or forfeiture by others entitled thereto of any property

which the convicted person at the time of conviction or subsequent thereto may

have possessed.

Obligation of contract shall be guaranteed by the Republic and non laws shall be

passed which shall impair this right.

Where any person or any association alleges that any of the rights granted under

this Constitution or any legislation or directives are constitutionally

contravened, that person or association may invoke the privilege and benefit of

court direction, order or writ, including a judgment of unconstitutionality; and

anyone injured by an act of the Government or any person acting under its

authority, whether in property, contract, tort or otherwise, shall have the

right to bring suit for appropriate redress. All such suits brought against the

Government shall originate in a Claims Court; appeals from judgments of the

Claims Court shall lie directly to the Supreme Court.

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CHAPTER IV

a) All persons who, on the coming into force of this Constitution were lawfully

citizens of Liberia shall continue to be Liberian citizens.

b) In order to preserve, foster and maintain the positive Liberian culture,

values and character, only persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent shall

qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia.

c) The Legislature shall, adhering to the above standard, prescribe such other

qualification criteria for and the procedures by which naturalization may be

obtained.

Any person, at least one of whose parents was citizen of Liberia at the time of

the person's birth, shall be a citizen of Liberia; provided that any such person

shall upon reaching maturity renounce any other citizenship acquired by virtue

of one parent being a citizen of another country. No citizen of the Republic

shall be deprived of citizenship or nationality except as provided by law; and

no person shall be denied the right to change citizenship or nationality.

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CHAPTER V

The legislative power of the Republic shall be vested in the Legislature of

Liberia which shall consist of two separate houses: A Senate and a House of

Representatives, both of which must pass on all legislation. The enacting style

shall be: "It is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

Republic of Liberia in Legislature assembled."

Citizens of Liberia who meet the following qualifications are eligible to become

members of the Legislature:

a) for the Senate, have attained the age of 30 years and for the House of

Representatives, have attained the age of 25 years;

b) be domiciled in the count y or constituency to be represented not less than

one year prior to the time of the election and be a taxpayer.

Each member of the Legislature, before taking his seat and entering upon the

duties of office, shall take and subscribe to a solemn oath or affirmation,

before the presiding officer of the House to which such person was elected and

in the presence of other members of that House, to uphold and defend the

Constitution and laws of the Republic and to discharge faithfully the duties of

such office.

a) The Legislature shall assemble in regular session once a year on the second

working Monday in January.

b) The President shall, on his own initiative or upon receipt of a certificate

signed by at least one-fourth of the total membership of each House, and by

proclamation, extend a regular session of the Legislature beyond the date for

adjournment or call a special or extraordinary session of that body to discuss

or act upon matters of national emergency and concern. When the extension or

call is at the request of the Legislature, t he proclamation shall be issued not

later than forty-eight hours after receipt of the certificate by the President.

A simple majority of each House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of

business, but a lower number may adjourn from day to day and compel the

attendance of absent members. Whenever the House of Representatives and the

Senate shall meet in joint session, the presiding officer of the House of

Representatives shall preside.

The Legislature shall have the power:

a) to create new counties And other political sub-divisions, and readjust

existing county boundaries;

b) to provide for the security of the Republic;

c) to provide for the common defense, to declare war and authorize the Executive

to conclude peace; to raise and support the Armed Forces of the Republic, and to

make appropriations therefor, provided that no appropriation of money for that

use shall be for a longer term than one year; and to make rules for the

governance of the Armed Forces of the Republic;

d) to levy taxes, duties, imposts, excise and other revenues, to borrow money,

issue currency, mint coins, and to make appropriations for the fiscal governance

of the Republic, subject to the following qualifications:

(i) all revenue bills, whether subsidies, charges, imposts, duties or taxes, and

other financial bills shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the

Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills. No other

financial charge shall be established, fixed, laid or levied on any individual,

community or locality under any pretext whatsoever except by the expressed

consent of the individual, community or locality. In all such cases, a true and

correct amount of funds collected shall be made to the community or locality;

(ii) no monies shall be drawn from the treasury except in consequence of

appropriations made by legislative enactment and upon warrant of the President;

and no coin shall be minted or national currency issued except by the expressed

authority of the Legislature. An annual statement and account of the receipt and

expenditure of all public monies shall be submitted by the office of the

President to the Legislature and published once a year;

(iii) no loans shall be raised by the Government on behalf of the Republic or

guarantees given for any public institution or authority otherwise than by or

under the authority of a legislative enactment;

e) to constitute courts inferior to the supreme Court, including circuit courts,

claims courts and such other courts with such prescribed jurisdictional powers

as may be deemed necessary for the proper administration of justice throughout

the Republic;

f) to approve treaties, conventions and such other international agreements

negotiated or signed on behalf of the Republic;

g) to regulate trade and commerce between Liberia and other nations;

h) to establish laws for citizenship, naturalization and residence;

i) to enact the election laws;

j) to establish various categories of criminal offenses and provide for the

punishment thereof;

k) to enact laws providing pension scheme for various categories of government

officials and employees in accordance with age and tenure of service; and

l) to make all other laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into

execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution

in the Government of the Republic, or in any department or officer thereof.

Each bill or resolution which shall have passed both Houses of the Legislature

shall, before it becomes law, be laid before the President for his approval. If

he grants approval, it shall become law. If the president does not approve such

bill or resolution, he shall return it, with his objections, to the House in

which it originated. In so doing, the President may disapprove of the entire

bill or resolution or any item or items thereof. This veto may be overridden by

the repassage of such bill, resolution or item thereof by a vote of two-thirds

of the members in each House, in which case it shall become law. If the

President does not return the bill or resolution within twenty days after the

same shall have been laid before him it shall become law in like manner as if he

had signed it, unless the Legislature by adjournment prevents its return.

No bill or resolution shall embrace more than one subject which shall be

expressed in its title.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive from the Republic remuneration

for their services to be fixed by law, provided that any increase shall become

effective at the beginning of the next fiscal year.

In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation,

expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days notify the

Elections Commission thereof. The Elections Commission shall not later than 90

days thereafter cause a by-election to be held; provided that where such vacancy

occurs within 90 days prior to the holding of general elections, the filling of

the vacancy shall await the holding of such general elections.

Each House shall adopt its own rules of procedure, enforce order, and with the

concurrence of two-thirds of the entire membership, may expel a member for

cause. Each House shall establish its own committees and sub-committees;

provided, however, that the committees on revenues and appropriations shall

consist of one member from each County. All rules adopted by the Legislature

shall conform to the requirements of due process of law laid down in this

Constitution.

The Legislature shall cause a census of the Republic to be undertaken every ten

years.

Neither House shall adjourn for more than five days without the consent of the

other and both Houses shall always sit in the same city.

The business of the Legislature shall be conducted in the English language or,

when adequate preparations shall have been made, in one or more of the languages

of the Republic as the Legislature may by resolution approve.

No member of the Senate or House of Representatives shall be arrested, detained,

prosecuted or tried as a result of opinions expressed or votes cast in the

exercise of the functions of his office. Members shall be privileged from arrest

while attending, going to or returning from sessions of the Legislature, except

for treason, felony or breach of the peace. All official acts done or performed

and all statements made in the Chambers of the Legislature shall be privileged,

and no Legislator shall be held accountable or punished therefor.

The power to prepare a bill of impeachment is vested solely in the House of

Representatives, and the power to try all impeachments is vested solely in the

Senate. When the President, Vice President or an Associate Justice is to be

tried, the Chief Justice shall preside; when the Chief Justice or a judge of a

subordinate court of record is to be tried, the President of the Senate shall

preside. No person shall be impeached but by the concurrence of two-thirds of

the total membership of the Senate. Judgments in such cases shall not extend

beyond removal from office and disqualification to hold public office in the

Republic; but the party may be tried at law for the same offense. The

Legislature shall prescribe the procedure for impeachment proceedings which

shall be in conformity with the requirements of due process of law.

Contempt of the Legislature shall consist of actions which obstruct the

legislative functions or which obstruct or impede members or officers of the

Legislature in the discharge of their legislative duties and may be punished by

the House concerned by reasonable sanctions after a hearing consistent with due

process of law. No sanction shall extend beyond the session of the Legislature

wherein it is imposed, and any sanction imposed shall conform to the provisions

on Fundamental Rights laid down in this Constitution. Disputes between

legislators and non-members which are properly cognizable in the courts shall

not be entertained or heard in the Legislature.

The Senate shall be composed of Senators elected for a term of nine years by the

registered voters in each of the counties, but a Senator elected in a

by-election to fill a vacancy created by death, resignation, expulsion or

otherwise, shall be so elected to serve only the remainder of the unexpired term

of office. Each county shall elect two Senators and each Senator shall have one

vote in the Senate. Senators shall be eligible for re-election.

Immediately after the Senate shall have assembled following the elections prior

to the coming into force of this Constitution, the Senators shall be divided

into two categories as a result of the votes cast in each county. The Senator

with the higher votes cast shall be the Senator of the first category and the

Senator with the lower votes cast shall be Senator of the second category;

provided that no two Senators from a county shall be placed in the same

category. The seats of Senators of the first category shall be vacated at the

expiration of the ninth year. In the interest of legislative continuity, the

Senators of the second category shall serve a first term of six years only,

after the first elections. Thereafter, all Senators shall be elected to serve a

term of nine years.

The Senate shall elect once every six years a President Pro Tempore who shall

preside in the absence of the President of the Senate, and such other officers

as shall ensure the proper functioning of the Senate. The President Pro Tempore

and other officers so elected may be removed from office for cause by resolution

of a two-thirds majority of the members of the Senate.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of members elected for a term of

six years by the registered voters in each of the legislative constituencies of

the counties, but a member of the House of Representatives elected in a

by-election to fill a vacancy created by death, resignation, expulsion or

otherwise, shall be elected to serve only the remainder of the unexpired term of

the office. Members of the House of Representatives shall be eligible for

re-election.

The House of Representatives shall elect once every six years a Speaker who

shall be the presiding officer of that body, a Deputy Speaker, and such other

officers as shall ensure the proper functioning of the House. The Speaker, the

Deputy Speaker and other officers so elected may be removed from office for

cause by resolution of a two-thirds majority of the members of the House.

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CHAPTER VI

The Executive Power of the Republic shall be vested in the President who shall

be Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

of Liberia. The President shall be elected by universal adult suffrage of

registered voters in the Republic and shall hold office for a term of six years

commencing at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year

immediately following the elections. No person shall serve as President for more

than two terms.

There shall be a Vice-President who shall assist the President in the discharge

of his functions. The Vice-President shall be elected on the same political

ticket and shall serve the same term as the President. The Vice-President shall

be President of the Senate and preside over its deliberations without the right

to vote, except in the case of a tie vote. He shall attend meetings of the

cabinet and other governmental meetings and shall perform such functions as the

President shall delegate or deem appropriate; provided that no powers

specifically vested in the President by the provisions of this Constitution

shall be delegated to the Vice-President.

No person shall be eligible to hold the office of President or Vice-President,

unless that person is:

a) a natural born Liberian citizen of not less than 35 years of age;

b) the owner of unencumbered real property valued at not less than twenty-five

thousand dollars; and

c) resident in the Republic ten years prior to his election, provided that the

President And the Vice-President shall not come from the same County.

a) The President and the Vice-President shall, before entering on the execution

of the duties of their respective offices, take a solemn oath or affirmation to

preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the Republic and

faithfully execute the duties of the office. The oath or affirmation shall be

administered in joint convention of both Houses of the Legislature by the Chief

Justice or, in his absence, the most senior Associate Justice.

b) In an emergency where the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices are not

available, such oath or affirmation shall be administered by a judge of a

subordinate court of record.

The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Senate appoint and

commission-

a) cabinet ministers, deputy and assistant cabinet ministers;

b) ambassadors, ministers, consuls; and

c) the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of

subordinate courts;

d) superintendents, other county officials and officials of other political

sub-divisions;

e ) members of the military from the rank of lieutenant or its equivalent and

above; and

f) marshals, deputy marshals, and sheriffs.

The President shall appoint and commission Notaries Public and Justices of the

Peace who shall hold office for a term of two years but may be removed by the

President for cause. They shall be eligible for reappointment.

a) All cabinet ministers, deputy and assistant cabinet ministers, ambassadors,

ministers and consuls, superintendents of counties and other government

officials, both military and civilian, appointed by the President pursuant to

this Constitution shall hold their offices at the pleasure of the President.

b) There shall be elections of Paramount, Clan and Town Chiefs by the registered

voters in their respective localities, to serve for a term of six years. They

may be re-elected and may be removed only by the President for proved

misconduct. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for their qualifications

as may be required.

The President shall have the power to conduct the foreign affairs of the

Republic and in that connection he is empowered to conclude treaties,

conventions and similar international agreements with the concurrence of a

majority of each House of the Legislature.

The President shall, on the fourth working Monday in January of each year,

present the administration's legislative program for the ensuing session, and

shall once a year report to the Legislature on the state of the Republic. In

presenting the economic condition of the Republic the report shall cover

expenditures as well as income.

The President may remit any public forfeitures and penalties, suspend any fines

and sentence, grant reprieves and pardons, and restore civil rights after

conviction for all public offenses, except impeachment.

The President and Vice-President shall receive salaries which shall be

determined by the Legislature and be paid by the Republic. Such salaries shall

be subject to taxes as defined by law and shall neither be increased nor

diminished during the period for which the President and the Vice-President

shall have been elected.

The President shall be immune from any suits, actions or proceedings, judicial

or otherwise, and from arrest, detention or other actions on account of any act

done by him while President of Liberia pursuant to any provision of this

Constitution or any other laws of the Republic. The President shall not,

however, be immune from prosecution upon removal from office for the commission

of any criminal act done while President.

The President and the Vice-President may be removed from office by impeachment

for treason, bribery and other felonies, violation of the Constitution or gross

misconduct.

a) Whenever a person elected to the office of President dies or is otherwise

incapacitated before being inaugurated into office, the Vice President elect

shall succeed to the office of President, and this accession shall commence a

term.

b) Whenever the office of the President shall become vacant by reason of death,

resignation, impeachment, or the President shall be declared incapable of

carrying out the duties and functions of his office, the Vice-President shall

succeed to the office of President to complete the unexpired term. In such a

case, this shall not constitute a term.

c) The Legislature shall, no later than one year after the coming into force of

this Constitution, prescribe the guidelines and determine the procedures under

which the President, by reason of illness, shall be declared incapable of

carrying out the functions of his office.

d) Whenever the office of the Vice-President becomes vacant by reason of death,

resignation, impeachment, inability or otherwise, the President shall, without

delay, nominate a candidate who, with the concurrence of both Houses of the

Legislature, shall be sworn in and hold office as Vice-President until the next

general elections are held. Whenever the Vice-President elect dies, resigns or

is incapacitated before being inaugurated, the President elected on the same

ticket with him, shall, after being inaugurated into office, nominate without

delay a candidate who, with the concurrence of both Houses of the Legislature,

shall be sworn in and hold office as Vice-President until the next general

elections are held.

Whenever the office of the President and of the Vice-President shall become

vacant by reason of removal, death, resignation, inability or other disability

of the President and the Vice-President, the Speaker of the House of

Representatives shall be sworn in as Acting President until the holding of

elections to fill the vacancies so created. Should the Speaker be legally

incapable or otherwise unable to assume the office of Acting President, then the

same shall devolve upon the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. In any further

line of descent, the office shall devolve in order upon the Deputy Speaker and

members of the Cabinet in the order of precedence as established by law. The

Elections Commission shall within ninety days conduct elections for a new

President and a new Vice President.

[ Back to Table of Contents ]

CHAPTER VII

The Judicial Power of the Republic shall be vested in a Supreme Court and such

subordinate courts as the Legislature may from time to time establish. The

courts shall apply both statutory and customary laws in accordance with the

standards enacted by the Legislature. Judgments of the Supreme Court shall be

final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal or review by any other

branch of Government. Nothing in this Article shall prohibit administrative

consideration of the Justiciable matter prior to review by a court of competent

jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court shall be the final arbiter of constitutional issues and shall

exercise final appellate jurisdiction in all cases whether emanating from courts

of record, courts not of record, administrative agencies, autonomous agencies or

any other authority, both as to law and fact except cases involving ambassadors,

ministers or cases in which a county is a party. In all such cases, the Supreme

Court shall exercise original jurisdiction. The Legislature shall make no law

nor create any exceptions as would deprive the Supreme Court of any of the

powers granted herein.

The Supreme Court shall comprise of one Chief Justice and four Associate

Justices, a majority of whom shall be deemed competent to transact the business

of the Court. If a quorum is not obtained to enable the Court to hear any case,

a circuit judge in the order of seniority shall sit as an ad hoc justice of the

Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court shall, with the

consent of the Senate, be appointed and commissioned by the President; provided

that any person so appointed shall be:

a) a citizen of Liberia and of good moral character; and

b) a counsellor of the Supreme Court Bar who has practiced for at least 5 years.

The judges of subordinate courts of record shall, with the consent of the

Senate, be appointed and commissioned by the President, provided that any person

so appointed shall be:

a) a citizen of Liberia and of good moral character; and

b) an Attorney-at-Law who has practiced for at least 3 years, or a counsellor of

the Supreme Court Bar.

The Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and all judges

of subordinate courts shall, before assuming the functions of their office,

subscribe to a solemn oath or affirmation to discharge faithfully and

impartially the duties and functions of their office and to preserve, protect

and defend the Constitution and laws of the Republic. The oath or affirmation

shall be administered by the President or his designee.

The Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and the judges

of subordinate courts of record shall hold office during good behavior. They may

be removed upon impeachment and conviction by the Legislature based on proved

misconduct, gross breach of duty, inability to perform the functions of their

office, or conviction in a court of law for treason, bribery or other infamous

crimes.

a) The Justices of the Supreme Court and all other judges shall receive such

salaries, allowances and benefits as shall be established by law. Such salaries

shall be subject to taxes as defined by law, provided that they shall not

otherwise be diminished. Allowances and benefits paid to Justices of the Supreme

Court and judges of subordinate courts may by law be increased but may not be

diminished except under a national program enacted by the Legislature; nor shall

such allowances and benefits be subject to taxation.

b) The Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges

of subordinate courts of record shall be retired at the age of seventy;

provided, however, that a justice or judge who has attained that age may

continue in office for as long as may be necessary to enable him to render

judgment or perform any other judicial duty in regard to proceedings entertained

by him before he attained that age.

No judicial official shall be summoned, arrested, detained, prosecuted or tried

civilly or criminally by or at the instance of any person or authority on

account of judicial opinions rendered or expressed, judicial statements made and

judicial acts done in the course of a trial in open court or in chambers, except

for treason or other felonies,misdemeanor or breach of the peace. Statements

made and acts done by such officials in the course of a judicial proceeding

shall be privileged, and, subject to the above qualification, no such statements

made or acts done shall be admissible into evidence against them at any trial or

proceeding.

In all matters of contempt of court, whether in the Supreme Court or in other

courts, the penalties to be imposed shall be fixed by the Legislature and shall

conform to the provisions on Fundamental Rights laid down in this Constitution.

The Supreme Court shall from time to time make rules of court for the purpose of

regulating the practice, procedures and manner by which cases shall be commenced

and heard before it and all other subordinate courts. It shall prescribe such

code of conduct for lawyers appearing before it and all other subordinate courts

as may be necessary to facilitate the proper discharge of the court's functions.

Such rules and code, however, shall not contravene any statutory provisions or

any provisions of this Constitution.

a) Treason against the Republic shall consist of:

(1) levying war against the Republic;

(2) aligning oneself with or aiding and abetting another nation or people with

whom Liberia is at war or in a state of war;

(3) acts of espionage for an enemy state;

(4) attempting by overt act to overthrow the Government, rebellion against the

Republic, insurrection and mutiny; and

(5) abrogating or attempting to abrogate, subverting or attempting or conspiring

to subvert the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other

means which attempts to undermine this Constitution.

b) The Legislature shall have the power to declare the punishment for treason;

provided, however, that such punishment shall not include a deprivation or

forfeiture of the right of inheritance by the convicted person of any property

although he may not be entitled to enjoyment thereof for as long as he continues

to serve the term of imprisonment imposed after conviction in a court of

competent jurisdiction. The right to the enjoyment of any property inherited or

otherwise conveyed to or acquired by such convicted person shall be

automatically restored upon serving the term of imprisonment or other

punishment, or upon an executive pardon by the President. No punishment shall

preclude the inheritance and enjoyment, or cause the forfeiture by others

entitled thereto, of any property which the convicted person at the time of

conviction or subsequent thereto may have possessed or been seized.

CHAPTER VIII

a) Since the essence of democracy is free competition of ideas expressed by

political parties and political groups as well as by individual, parties may

freely be established to advocate the political opinions of the people. Laws,

regulations, decrees or measures which might have the effect of creating a

one-party state shall be declared unconstitutional.

b) All elections shall be by secret ballot as may be determined by the Elections

Commission, and every Liberian citizen not less than 18 years of age, shall have

the right to be registered as a voter and to vote in public elections and

referenda under this Constitution. The Legislature shall enact laws indicating

the category of Liberians who shall not form or become members of political

parties.

As used in this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, an "association"

means a body of persons, corporate or other, which acts together for a common

purpose, and includes a group of people organized for any ethnic, social,

cultural, occupational or religious objectives; a "political party" shall be an

association with a membership of not less than five hundred qualified voters in

each of at least six counties, whose activities include canvassing for votes on

any public issue or in support of a candidate for elective public office; and an

"independent candidate" shall be a person seeking electoral post or office with

or without his own organization, acting independently of a political party.

No association by whatever name called, shall function as a political party, nor

shall any citizen be an independent candidate for election to public office,

unless:

a) the association or independent candidate and his organization meet the

minimum registration requirements laid down by the Elections Commission and are

registered with it. Registration requirements shall include filing with the

Elections Commission a copy of the constitution of the association and

guidelines of the independent candidate and his organization, a detailed

statement of the names and addresses of the association and its officers or of

the independent candidate and the officers of his organization, and fulfillment

of the provisions of sub-sections (b), (c), (da) and (3) hereof. Registration by

the Elections Commission of any association or independent candidate and his

organization shall vest in the entity or candidate and his organization so

registered legal personality, with the capacity to own property, real, personal

or mixed, to sue and be sued and to hold accounts. A denial of registration or

failure by the Elections Commission to register any applicant may be challenged

by the applicant in the Supreme Court;

b) the membership of the association or the independent candidate's organization

is open to every citizen of Liberia, irrespective of sex, religion or ethnic

background, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution.

c) the headquarters of the association or independent candidate and his

organization is situated:

(i) in the capital of the Republic where an association is involved or where an

independent candidate seeks election to the office of President or

Vice-President;

(ii) in the headquarters of the county where an independent candidate seeks

election as a Senator; and

(iii) in the electoral center in the constituency where the candidate seeks

election as s member of the House of Representatives or to any other public

office;

d) the name, objective, emblem or motto of the organization is free from any

religious connotations or divisive ethnic implications and that the activities

of the association or independent candidate are not limited to a special group

or, in the case of an association, limited to a particular geographic area of

Liberia;

e) the constitution and rules of the political party shall conform to the

provisions of this Constitution, provide for the democratic elections of

officers and/or governing body at least once every six years, and ensure the

election of officers from as many of the regions and ethnic groupings in the

country as possible. All amendments to the Constitution or rules of a political

party shall be registered with the Elections commission no later than ten days

from the effective dates of such amendments.

a) Parties or organizations which, by reason of their aims or the behavior of

their adherents, seek to impair or abolish the free democratic society of

Liberia or to endanger the existence of the Republic shall be denied

registration.

b) Parties or organizations which retain, organize, train or equip any person or

group of persons for the use or display of physical force or coercion in

promoting any political objective or interest, or arouse reasonable apprehension

that they are so organized, trained or equipped, shall be denied registration,

or if registered, shall have their registration revoked.

c) Every Liberian citizen shall have the right to be registered in a

constituency, and to vote in public elections only in the constituency, and to

vote in public elections only int he 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.

d) Each constituency shall have an approximately equal population of 20,000, or

such number of citizens as the Legislature shall prescribe in keeping with

population growth and movements as revealed by a national census; provided that

the total number of electoral constituencies int he Republic shall not exceed

one hundred.

e) Immediately following a national census and before the next elections, the

Elections Commission shall reapportion the constituencies in accordance with the

new population figures so that every constituency shall have as close to the

same population as possible, provided, however, that a constituency must be

solely within a county.

Any citizen, political party, organization or association, being resident in

Liberia, of Liberian nationality or origin, and not otherwise disqualified under

the provisions of this Constitution and laws of the land, shall have the right

to canvass for the votes for any political party or candidate at any election,

provided that corporate and business organizations and labor unions are excluded

from so canvassing directly or indirectly in whatsoever form.

a) Any citizen or citizens, political party association or organization, being

of Liberian nationality or origin, shall have the right to contribute to the

funds or election expenses of any political party or candidate; provided that

corporate and business organizations and labor unions shall be excluded from

making any contribution to the funds or expenses of any political party. The

Legislature shall by law prescribe the guidelines under which such contributions

may be made and the maximum amount which may be contributed.

b) No political party or organization may hold or possess any funds or other

assets out side of Liberia; nor may they or any independent candidates retain

any funds or assets remitted or sent to them from outside Liberia unless

remitted or sent by Liberian citizens residing abroad. Any funds or other assets

received directly or indirectly in contravention of this restriction shall be

paid over or transferred to the Elections Commission within twenty-one days of

receipt. Information on all funds received from abroad shall be filed promptly

with the Elections Commission.

c) The Elections Commission shall have the power to examine into and order

certified audits of the financial transactions of political parties and

independent candidates and their organizations. The Commission shall prescribe

the kinds of records to be kept and the manner in which they shall be kept. The

certified audits shall be conducted by a certified chartered public accountant,

not a member of any political party.

a) Voting for President, Vice-President, members of the Senate and members of

the House of Representatives shall be conducted throughout the Republic on the

second Tuesday in October of each election year.

b) All elections of public officers shall be determined by an absolute majority

of the votes cast. If no candidate obtains an absolute majority in the first

ballot, a second ballot shall be conducted on the second Tuesday following. The

two candidates who received the greatest numbers of votes on the first ballot

shall be designated to participate in the run-of election.

c) The returns of the elections shall be declared by the Elections Commission

not later than fifteen days after the casting of ballots. Any party or candidate

who complains about the manner in which the elections were conducted or who

challenges the results thereof shall have the right to file a complaint with the

Elections Commission. Such complaint must be filed not later than seven days

after the announcement of the results of the elections.

The Elections Commission shall, within thirty days of receipt of the complaint,

conduct an impartial investigation and render a decision which may involve a

dismissal of the complaint or a nullification of the election of a candidate.

Any political party or independent candidate affected by such decision shall not

later than seven days appeal against it to the Supreme Court.

The Elections Commission shall within seven days of receipt of the notice of

appeal, forward all the records in the case to the Supreme Court, which not

later than seven days thereafter, shall hear and make its determination. If the

Supreme Court nullifies or sustains the nullification of the election of any

candidate, for whatever reasons, the Elections Commission shall within sixty

days of the decision of the Court conduct new elections to fill the vacancy. If

the court sustains the election of a candidate, the Elections Commission shall

act to effectuate the mandate of the Court.

d) Every political party shall, on September 1 of each year, and every candidate

of such political party and every independent candidate shall, not later than

such political part y and every independent candidate shall, not later than

thirty days prior to the holding of an election in which he is a candidate,

publish and submit to the Elections Commission detailed statements of assets and

liabilities. These shall include the enumeration of sources of funds and other

assets, plus lists of expenditures. Where the filing of such statements is made

in an election year, every political party and independent candidate shall be

required to file with the Elections Commission additional detailed supplementary

statements of all funds received and expenditures made by them from the date of

filing of the original statements to the date of the elections. Any political

party or independent candidate who ceases to function shall publish and submit a

final financial statement to the Elections Commission.

The Legislature shall by law provide penalties for any violations of the

relevant provisions of this Chapter, and shall enact laws and regulations in

furtherance thereof not later than 1986; provided that such penalties, laws or

regulations shall not be inconsistent with any provisions of this Constitution.

CHAPTER IX

The President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces may order any portion

of the Armed Forces into a state of combat readiness in defence of the Republic,

before or after the declaration of a state of emergency, as may be warranted by

the situation. All military power or authority shall at all times, however, be

held in subordination to the civil authority and the Constitution.

a) The President may, in consultation with the Speaker of the House of

Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, proclaim and

declare the existence of a state of emergency in the Republic or any part

thereof. Acting pursuant thereto, the President may suspend or affect certain

rights, freedoms and guarantees contained in this Constitution and exercise such

other emergency powers as may be necessary and appropriate to take care of the

emergency, subject, however, to t he limitations contained in this Chapter.

b) A state of emergency may be declared only where there is a threat or outbreak

of war or where there is civil unrest affecting the existence, security or

well-being of the Republic amounting to a clear and present danger.

a) Emergency powers do not include the power to suspend or abrogate the

Constitution, dissolve the Legislature, or suspend or dismiss the Judiciary; and

no constitutional amendment shall be promulgated during a state of emergency.

Where the Legislature is not in session, it must be convened immediately in

special session and remain in session during the entire period of the state of

emergency.

b) The writ of habeas corpus shall remain available and exercisable at all times

and shall not be suspended on account of any state of emergency. It shall be

enjoyed in the most free, easy, inexpensive, expeditious and ample manner. Any

person who suffers from a violation of this right may challenge such violation

in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The President shall, immediately upon the declaration of a state of emergency,

but not later than seven days thereafter, lay before the Legislature at its

regular session or at a specially convened session, the facts and circumstances

leading to such declaration. The Legislature shall within seventy-two hours, by

joint resolution voted by two-thirds of the membership of each house, decide

whether the proclamation of a state of emergency is justified or whether the

measures taken thereunder are appropriate. If the two-thirds vote is not

obtained, the emergency automatically shall be revoked. Where the Legislature

shall deem it necessary to revoke the state of emergency or to modify the

measures taken thereunder, the President shall act accordingly and immediately

carry out the decisions of the Legislature.

CHAPTER X

The following Autonomous Public Commissions are hereby established:

A. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION;

B. ELECTIONS COMMISSION; and

C. GENERAL AUDITING COMMISSION

The Legislature shall enact laws for the governance of these Commissions and

create other agencies as may be necessary for the effective operation of

Government.

CHAPTER XI

a) No person, whether elected or appointed to any public office, shall engage in

any other activity which shall be against public policy, or constitute conflict

of interest.

b) No person holding public office shall demand and receive any other

perquisites, emoluments or benefits, directly or indirectly, on account of any

duty required by Government.

c) The Legislature shall, in pursuance of the above provision, prescribe a Code

of Conduct for all public officials and employees, stipulating the acts which

constitute conflict of interest or are against public policy, and the penalties

for violation thereof.

CHAPTER XII

This Constitution may be amended whenever a proposal by either (1) two-thirds of

the membership of both Houses of the Legislature or (2) a petition submitted to

the Legislature, by not fewer than 10,000 citizens which receives the

concurrence of two-thirds of the membership of both Houses of the Legislature,

is ratified by two-thirds of the registered voters, voting in a referendum

conducted by the Elections Commission not sooner than one year after the action

of the Legislature.

Proposed constitutional amendments shall be accompanied by statements setting

forth the reasons therefor and shall be published in the Official Gazette and

made known to the people through the information services of the Republic. If

more than one proposed amendment is to be voted upon in a referendum they shall

be submitted in such manner that the people may vote for or against them

separately.

The limitation of the Presidential term of office to two terms, each of six

years duration, may be subject to amendment; provided that the amendment shall

not become effective during the term of office of the incumbent President.

CHAPTER XIII

a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, any person

duly elected to any office provided for under this Constitution and under the

laws in force immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution sh

all be deemed to have been duly elected for the purpose of this Constitution and

to have assumed the position so occupied on the date of coming into existence of

this Constitution.

b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, elections for

the President, Vice-President and members of the Legislature, prior to the

coming into force of this Constitution, shall be held on the 3rd Tuesday in

January 1985. The person so elected President of Liberia shall be inaugurated on

the 12th day of April 1985. The President, Vice-President and members of the

Legislature who are elected for the first term prior to the coming into force of

this Constitution, shall serve their respective terms less approximately three

months. This Constitution shall come into force simultaneously with that

inauguration.

c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, the People's

Redemption Council shall by decree convene a session of the newly elected

Legislature before the 12th day of April 1985, to enable the Senate and House of

Representatives to organize and elect their officers. Such elections shall be

conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down by the

Legislature under the suspended Constitution until changed by the new

Legislature.

d) Any person who, under the laws extant immediately before the coming into

force of this Constitution, held an appointment or was acting in an office shall

be deemed to have been appointed, as far as it is consistent with the provisions

of this Constitution, to hold or to act in the equivalent office under this

Constitution until appointments otherwise provided for under this Constitution

shall have been made.

a) The Constitution of the Republic of Liberia which came into force on the 26th

day of July 1847, and which was suspended on the 12th day of April 1980, is

hereby abrogated. Notwithstanding this abrogation, however, any enactment or

rule of law in existence immediately before the coming into force of this

Constitution, whether derived from the abrogated Constitution or from any other

source shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with any provision of this

Constitution, continue in force as if enacted, issued or made under the

authority of this Constitution.

b) All treaties, executive and other international agreements and obligations

concluded by the Government of the People's Redemption Council or prior

governments in the name of the Republic prior to the coming into force of this

Constitution shall continue to be valid and binding on the Republic unless

abrogated or cancelled or unless otherwise inconsistent with this Constitution.

c) All foreign and domestic debts or other loans and obligations contracted by

the Government of the People's Redemption Council or prior governments or any

agency or other authority in the name of the Republic of Liberia prior to the

coming into existence of this Constitution, shall continue to be binding on and

enforceable by the Republic of Liberia.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution:

a) The People's Supreme Court of Liberia and all subordinate courts operating

prior to the effective date of this Constitution shall continue to so operate

and the Chief Justice, Associate Justices of the People's Supreme Court and

judges of subordinate courts holding appointments in such courts shall continue

to hold such appointments after the coming into existence of this Constitution

until their successors are appointed and qualified; provided, however, that all

judges of subordinate courts holding appointments in such courts shall continue

to hold such appointments after the coming into existence of this Constitution

until their successors are appointed and qualified; provided, however, that all

judges of subordinate courts shall remain and preside in their respective

resident circuits pending the reconstruction of the Supreme Court. The

appointment by the President, with the consent of the Senate, of the Chief

Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of subordinate

courts, shall be made as soon as possible after the coming into force of this

Constitution. The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the People's Supreme

Court and judges of subordinate courts holding office prior thereto, unless

reappointed, shall cease to hold office and their function shall automatically

devolve upon the newly appointed Chief Justice, Associate Justices of the

Supreme Court and judges of subordinate courts, respectively.

b) Where any legal or administrative proceeding has been commenced, or a person

seeks action by any authority or one acting under the authority of the

Government, that matter may be carried on and completed by the person or

authority having power or by his successor-in-office; aNd it shall not be

necessary for any such proceeding to be commenced de novo. Any act completed by

any person or authority having power under the existing law shall not be made

the subject of review or commenced anew by anyone assuming the authority of that

office after the coming into force of this Constitution.

a) No executive, legislative, judicial or administrative action taken by the

People's Redemption Council or by any persons, whether military or civilian, in

the name of that Council pursuant to any of its decrees shall be questioned in

any proceedings whatsoever; and, accordingly, it shall not be lawful for any

court or other tribunal to make any order or grant any remedy or relief in

respect of any such act.

b) No court or other tribunal shall entertain any action whatsoever instituted

against the Government of Liberia, whether before or after the coming into force

of this Constitution or against any person or persons who assisted in any manner

whatsoever in bringing about the change of Government of Liberia on the 12th day

of April, 1980, in respect of any act or commission relating to or consequent

upon:

(i) the overthrow of the government in power in Liberia before the establishment

of the government of the People's Redemption Council;

(ii) the suspension of the Constitution of Liberia of July 26, 1847;

(iii) the establishment, functioning and other organs established by the

People's Redemption Council;

(iv) the imposition of any penalties, including the death penalty, or the

confiscation of any property by or under the authority of the People's

Redemption Council under a decree made by that Council in pursuance of but not

limited to the measures undertaken by the Council to punish persons guilty of

crimes and malpractices to the detriment of the Liberian nation, the people, the

economy, or the public interest; and

(v) the establishment of this Constitution.

[ Back to Table of Contents ]

S C H E D U L E

1. This Schedule shall form and be an integral part of this Constitution and

shall have the same force as any other provision thereof.

2. All public officials and employees, whether elected or appointed, holding

office of public trust, shall subscribe to a solemn oath or affirmation as

follows:

"I, , do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support, uphold, protect and defend

the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Liberia, bear true faith and

allegiance to the Republic, and will faithfully, conscientiously and impartially

discharge the duties and functions of the office of to the best of my ability.

SO HELP ME GOD."

COMPLETED THIS 19TH DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 1983

IN THE CITY OF GBARMGA, BONG COUNTY, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL ADVISORY ASSEMBLY

[ Back to Table of Contents ]

Edward Binyah Kesselly (Lofa County)

Chairman

Charles H. Williams (Grand Bassa County)

Deputy Chairman

Archibald F. Bernard (Montserrado County)

Secretary General

Richard K. Flumo (Bong County)

Assistant Secretary General

Montserrado County

Stephen H. Kolison, Sr., Member

James Nagbe Doe, Member

James N. Nagbe, Member

Rocheforte L. Weeks, Member

Pearl Brown-Bull, Member

Jonathan E.M. Gibson, Member

Zoe Ethel Norman, Member

Walter Yedebabuo Wisner, Jr., Member

Marshall Territory

R. Francis Okai, Jr., Member

Bomi Territory

Samuel Dwelu Hill, Member

K. Ballah M. Davis, Sr., Member

Gibi Territory

David S. Menyongai, Member

Flomo Shadrach Daniel, II, Member

Grand Bassa County

A. Wilmot McCritty, I, Member

Abba G. Karnga, Member

Thomas L. Griggs, Member

Joseph L. Barchue, Sr., Member

Rivercess Territory

T. Gbegbe Roberto Dole, Member

Sinoe County

Nelson Wm. Broderick, Member

Charles N. Wiah, Member

Lawrence S. Bestman, Member

Jenkinson T. Nyenpan, Sr., Member

Sasstown Territory

Dennis J. Weagbe, Member

Maryland County

Nathaniel Bleh Seton, Sr., Member

James Klaba Giko, Member

J. Barney Taylor, Member

Christian A. Baker, Member

Kru Coast Territory

Carles Barzee Coffey, Member

Grand Cape Mount County

A. Kini Freeman, Member

Christopher K. Kandakai, I, Member

Ernest K. Metzger, Member

Victor Lamina Yates, Member

Grand Gedeh County

Harry T. Faber Nayou, Member

Philip Koryeyon Deah, Member

Robert Bloh Toe, Sr., Member

Emmanuel B. Neewray, Member

Doquinee Jarpee Andrews, Jr., Member

Nimba County

J. Patrick K. Biddle, Member

John Wiemi Bartuah, Member

James W. Zotaa, Jr., Member

J. Gharmie Sahn, Member

Jenkins G.W. Wongbe, Member

Peter A. Gbelia, Sr., Member

Stephen B. Daniels, Sr., Member

Samuel B. Wogbeh, Member

Bong County

John Flumo Bakalu, Sr., Member

James Y. Gbarbea, Member

Walter T. Gwenigale, Member

Salome Giddings-Hall, Member

Manyu M. Kamara, Member

Lofa County

Edward S. Mends-Cole, Member

J. Edward Koenig, Member

Frederick K. Gobewole, Member

James M. Hargrave, Member

Keikura Bayoh Kpoto, Member