The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, has issued a proclamation declaring November 16, 2021 as “By-Election Day”, to be observed as a public holiday only in the electoral counties whose respective districts are to hold the by-elections, and with strict adherence to prescribed COVID-19 health protocol.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the House of Representatives of the 54th Legislature on February 4, 2021, February 18, 2021, February 23, 2021 and April 21, 2021, through the chief clerk informed the National Elections Commission of four vacancies in the House of Representatives, involving Bong County, electoral district #2, Nimba County, electoral district #1, Grand Gedeh County, electoral district #1 and Bomi County, electoral district #1, in compliance with Chapter V Article 37 of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia.
The proclamation calls on citizens and foreign residents within the electoral counties to respect, specifically, this public holiday as such.
The release also directs all government offices, business houses, private and public institutions of learning and market places in the electoral locations to be closed from six o’clock ante meridian to six o’clock post meridian on that day.
The proclamation further indicated that the Government of Liberia (GOL) is desirous of ensuring the unhindered movement of eligible voters, granting them the opportunity to exercise their political franchise in the four electoral districts within the four counties in a peaceful manner on the day of the elections.
“In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, and 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 election in keeping with Article 37 of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia,” the proclamation disclosed.