House calls for 2022 Census Report.

Members of the House of Representatives mandate the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services to produce the results of the 2022 Census so that new thresholds can be set for creating new electoral districts.

By Bridgett Milton 

Monrovia, Liberia, September 6, 2024- The House of Representatives mandates the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) to produce the 2022 Census Report.

The Plenary of the House of Representatives took the decision here on Thursday, September 5, 2024, in a special session to enable members of the Legislature to set up thresholds for electoral districts in line with the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.

The 1986 Constitution requires that electoral districts be based on population data from the most recent census.

With the last census conducted in 2008, there is a pressing need for updated information to accurately reflect the country’s population distribution.

During Thursday’s session, members of the House emphasized the importance of LISGIS producing the new census report to enable lawmakers to decide to ensure fair representation for all citizens.

Several lawmakers, including Montserrado County District #11 Representative Richard Koon, note that the current electoral districts may not accurately represent the population due to changes in demographic trends in the past decade.

The 55^th Legislature is unanimous in its directive for LISGIS to produce the 2022 Census Report.

According to the lawmakers, updating population data will help the redistricting process and ensure that electoral districts are fairly delineated.

LISGIS will now begin collecting and analyzing data from the 2022 Census.

The Statistics House is expected to act accordingly to facilitate the setting up of new electoral districts.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has amended the Aliens and Nationality Law of 2022.

The House has enacted a bill seeking to amend and codify certain provisions of the law and forwarded it to the Liberian Senate for action.

The bill titled Amended Aliens and Nationality Law of 2024 was unanimously passed during the third day of the 2nd Extraordinary Session of the House on Thursday, 5 September 2024, after thorough scrutiny and recommendations from its Judiciary Committee.

It was submitted by Rep. Musa Hassan Bility of Electoral District 7, Nimba County, on February 13, 2024, and sent to the committee room.

The enactment of the amended provisions aimed at undertaking long-overdue general revision and modernization of the law, particularly with respect to citizenship, immigration, naturalization; employment and gender equity.

It also seeks to provide a pathway for policies and regulations that conform to current domestic and global realities.

The law has been forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence. Editing by Jonathan Browne