Rep. Bility Calls for Repeal of Election Law Sanctions on Political Parties

By Bridgett Milton

Capitol Hill, June 5, 2026 — Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility has urged the House of Representatives to repeal section 5.1 (A) and related provisions of Liberia’s new election laws that allow the exclusion, suspension, deregistration, or disqualification of legally registered political parties solely based on their performance in previous elections.

In a formal communication to plenary on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Rep. Bility argued that such provisions undermine fundamental democratic principles. He emphasized that the survival of political parties should be determined by the will of the people, not government-imposed restrictions.

“This proposal is rooted in a simple democratic principle: the people, not the government, should decide which political parties survive and which disappear,” Bility stated. He further asserted that the government’s role in election laws should be to facilitate—not restrict—political participation.

Bility pointed to constitutional guarantees of freedom of association, equal protection under the law, political participation, and the right of citizens to form and join political parties. He maintained that repealing these restrictive provisions would promote broader political participation and strengthen Liberia’s democratic framework.

If enacted, the proposed law would remove legal grounds for sanctioning registered political parties solely for their electoral performance.

Plenary has referred the proposed act to its Joint Committees on Elections and Inauguration Affairs and Judiciary for review, with a report expected in one month.