The political leader of the opposition, Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), Simeon Freeman, has advocated for the reduction of tenure for elected officials, including the president.
Freeman’s proposal was contained in a keynote speech he delivered at the commencement of Faith University over the weekend.
It sparked renewed national discourse on governance, accountability, and the urgent need for systemic change in the country.
He argued that shortening the term of office for elected officials, including the president, senators and the representatives, would not only make them more focused and results-driven, but would also curb the misuse of public resources.
“When officials know they have only four years, they would not waste time on things that would benefit the electorates,” Freeman said.
He added: “They’ll understand that there is no time to steal or mismanage state resources. Instead, they’ll be under pressure to deliver real results or risk being voted out quickly.”
Currently, presidents serve a six-year term, while a senator serves for nine years and a representative for six years.
Freeman believes this extended time in office often creates complacency and a sense of invincibility among the elected officials, leading to widespread corruption and a lack of urgency in addressing the needs of the people.
“A Six-year term gives one too much time to do the wrong things before the person even think about doing what is right,” he said.
On the contrary, he said, with four years, officials must hit the ground running. If the electorate makes a mistake in choosing their leaders on the basis that mistake can be corrected sooner, rather than later, the elected will be focused.”
To institutionalize this vision, Freeman proposed that a national referendum be held, allowing Liberians to decide whether they want a more agile and responsive government structure.
Observers say Freeman’s proposal could become a rallying point for civil society groups and reform-minded politicians who are pushing for a more transparent and efficient governance model.
If passed through referendum, the proposed changes could dramatically shift the country’s political landscape—allowing citizens to exercise their democratic voice more frequently and hold elected officials to a higher standard of performance.
Source: DN News