OPEN LETTER OF APPEAL TO MEMBERS OF THE National Legislature OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

From: Abraham Kolleh Morris, Sr.

Constituent, Republic of Liberia

To: Honorable Members of the National Legislature

Capitol Building

Monrovia, Liberia

Dear Honorable Members:

I write to you with urgency and with the full weight of citizens’ concerns regarding the proposal to create fourteen (14) additional seats in the House of Representatives. While representation remains the backbone of our republican system, this proposal has triggered substantial public alarm—rooted in constitutional scrutiny, economic pragmatism, and historical precedent—that demands your immediate, sober reflection.

First, the constitutional foundation invoked to justify this expansion—particularly Article 80 of the 1986 Constitution—has been, in the view of many legal commentators and constitutional scholars, selectively interpreted. Article 80(c), (d), and (e) establish population thresholds, districting principles, and the requirement for periodic reapportionment. Nowhere does the Constitution mandate automatic numerical expansion absent a rigorous national census, comprehensive demarcation analysis, and a clear demonstration that proportional representation cannot be achieved within the existing structure. Liberia’s own legislative history underscores this point: previous modifications to representational arrangements were anchored in census data, judicial review, and extensive public consultation—not political expediency. Any deviation from this constitutional architecture risks eroding the rule of law and diminishing the legitimacy of the Legislature’s decisions.

Second, the proposal comes at a time when our nation is experiencing acute economic distress. Unemployment is rising, small and medium enterprises are faltering, inflation continues to diminish purchasing power, and the average Liberian household is grappling with unprecedented hardship. In such a climate, the creation of new legislative seats—each carrying substantial budgetary implications in salaries, benefits, vehicles, staff allotments, security costs, and operational support—appears not only untimely, but fundamentally misaligned with the priorities of a nation striving for economic recovery. Historically, Liberians have accepted difficult national decisions when leadership demonstrates shared sacrifice. Today, however, the prevailing perception is that the Legislature is pursuing institutional expansion at the expense of national survival.

Third, public sentiment strongly reflects dissatisfaction with the current performance of many lawmakers, particularly in the constitutionally mandated functions of oversight, lawmaking, and constituency service. Citizens express frustration that, despite high compensation levels, legislative outcomes remain misaligned with the hardships faced by ordinary Liberians. From the days of the original Legislature under the 1847 Constitution to post-conflict reforms, public confidence has always hinged on the Legislature’s ability to place national welfare above institutional self-interest. Ignoring this historical lesson risks widening the existing trust deficit.

In this spirit, calls for reductions in legislative salaries and benefits—by at least US$5,000 or more—have grown louder, both inside and outside the Capitol. Such a reduction would not only signal fiscal responsibility but would also reaffirm that national leaders are willing to share in the sacrifices demanded of the citizenry. Proceeding with seat expansion while disregarding these calls would send the opposite message.

Honorable Members, the decision before you is not merely administrative. It is constitutional, economic, and profoundly moral. Liberia has navigated turbulent chapters—from the 1951 constitutional amendment redefining representation, to the structural reforms of the post-2003 transitional era—always guided by the principle that national interest supersedes political accommodation. This moment is no exception.

I therefore respectfully appeal that the Legislature:

1. Refrain from creating additional seats until a full constitutional review—grounded in census data, legal interpretation, and judicial guidance—is completed and publicly vetted.
2. Prioritize substantive economic interventions aimed at alleviating poverty, unemployment, and household-level hardship before considering any expansion of government expenditures.
3. Demonstrate national leadership through salary and benefit reductions, thereby aligning with the economic reality of the citizens you represent.
4. Ensure broad-based public consultations—including county-level dialogues, civil society input, and expert testimony—prior to implementing major changes to the nation’s governance architecture.

This is a defining juncture. The actions you take now will either reinforce public trust or fracture it further. I urge you to proceed with constitutional rigor, fiscal discipline, and an unwavering sense of duty to the Liberian people.

Respectfully,

Abraham Kolleh Morris, Sr.

Constituent, Republic of Liberia