LIBERIA’S PENDING REFERENDUM – VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 4
August 20th, 2011
By: J. N. Tarweah
The pending Referendum in Liberia remains contentious. Many opposition political parties have urged their supporters to vote NO on all four(4) or so, counts. In fact, one Diaspora organization, EFLA (European Foundation of Liberian Associations) has urged a boycott.
As with most political issues, there are salient reasons for a vote on either side as far as each of the Propositions are concerned. However, of particular concern to us is Proposition 4. That Proposition, according to reports, seeks
“To amend Article 83(b) so that election for all public officers, except for the President and Vice president, shall be by simple majority of the valid votes cast in any election in Liberia.”
Essentially, in a field of five candidates, the amendment implies that anyone with the highest percentage of votes irrespective of whether that percentage is below 50% , shall be declared winner. As it stands currently, only someone with 50% or more shall be declared a winner. In an instance in which no one has 50%+ in the first round, a by-election shall be conducted.
The principal argument in support of this amendment is that it is costly underwriting a by-election, especially, one in which, if one person has a large percentage below 50%, the winner would seem to be obvious.
I disagree with a YES vote on Proposition 4.
A very important reason why a majority of 50%+ is important in these early elections post-war, is the potential that it has in building agreement or consensus among the electorate. This then increases the stake of a greater number of people in the electoral and governance processes and enhances unity.
Given the multiplicity of contenders in these elections, a simple majority vote implies that anyone having say, 27% in a field of five candidates in which the rest have 20%, 21%, 18% and 14% would be declared the winner. To me, while it may be expensive in monetary terms, the unity that could be reaped from a consensus among many of these candidates leading to a 50%+ vote for one, is indeed very valuable for the amount of money to be spent.
I find the argument that a second round of elections would be a waste because "the winner was obvious in the first round", very curious. During the first round of the Presidential elections of 2005, if my memory serves me right, George Weah lead with 28% of the votes while President Sirleaf had close to 20%. Was the winner obvious then? As it turned out Mrs. Sirleaf won 59% during the second round to Weah's 41%. This could be the same for other positions that are the subject of this Proposition besides the President and Vice President positions.
Among the Propositions, it is Proposition 4 to which I would caution people to vote NO. It does not seek to enhance Unity. It undermines it.
J. N. Tarweah
