MONROVIA, LIBERIA — The Organization for Women and Children (ORWOCH) has strongly criticized proposed amendments to Section 4.5 of the New Elections Law, warning that the draft maintains legal escape routes that could undermine women’s political participation in Liberia.
While the amendment introduces the word “shall,” ORWOCH says this apparent progress is weakened by clauses such as “good cause” and “best efforts,” which it describes as loopholes that allow political parties to avoid compliance with the 30% gender quota.
According to ORWOCH, these provisions effectively repackage the old “endeavour to ensure” language that has repeatedly failed to increase women’s representation in past elections. The organization says such wording risks turning a legal requirement into a discretionary guideline, dependent on the National Elections Commission’s subjective judgment.
“This is not reform,” ORWOCH stated. “It is the same weak standard under a different name. We do not need laws that ask parties to try—we need laws that require compliance.”
Under the current draft, political parties that fail to meet the quota could still be cleared to contest elections if they argue they made “best efforts,” a standard ORWOCH says is unenforceable and dangerous for gender equality.
The organization is calling on the Legislature to remove all vague language and establish strict enforcement mechanisms. It recommends treating the 30% requirement as a non-negotiable technical condition for candidate list approval, similar to registration rules, with automatic rejection for non-compliance.
ORWOCH further proposes a 48-hour correction window, after which non-compliant parties would be disqualified.
The group insists that only a firm “No 30%, No Ballot” rule will guarantee meaningful progress toward gender justice in Liberia’s electoral system.
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