The National Elections Commission (NEC) says it has received an official notification from the Liberian Senate announcing a vacant seat in the 55th National Legislature.
The Liberian Senate in its letter addressed to the Acting Chairperson of NEC, Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves, disclosed that the vacancy in the Senate exists due to the death of Senator Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County.
The Senate letter, signed by its Secretary, Nanborlor F. Singbeh Sr., quotes the Presiding Officer in Session as saying, “This letter shall constitute your legal and sufficient authority as provided for in Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution.”
Article 37 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia states, “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.”