By Caroline N. Wonokay
Public Policy Expert
The House of Representatives has voted to increase Liberia’s legislative seats from 73 to 87, adding 14 new electoral districts pending approval from the Senate. While framed as a step toward better representation, this proposal arrives at a moment when the country urgently needs fiscal discipline, efficient governance, and smarter public spending.
Liberia’s economy is navigating competing priorities: improving agriculture, expanding energy access, strengthening institutions, and upgrading public infrastructure. Each of these priorities requires resources, resources that are already stretched thin. Increasing legislative seats will significantly raise the recurrent wage bill, adding millions of dollars annually in salaries, staff, vehicles, fuel, office operations, and constituency logistics. These are permanent expenditures, not one-time costs.
The question before us is simple: Can Liberia afford this expansion at this time?
The Economic Burden Can’t Be Ignored
A conservative estimate shows that adding 14 lawmakers could cost the country US$4–6 million more each year, not including the initial setup investments for office establishment and logistical support. At a time when ministries and agencies are being asked to do more with less, the expansion risks diverting resources away from critical development needs from schools and clinics to roads and agricultural interventions.
Public expenditure is not just an accounting exercise; it is a reflection of national priorities. When leadership expands political structures before strengthening service delivery systems, it sends a message that governance growth takes precedence over national development.
Representation Matters, but Efficiency Matters More
Proponents of the expansion argue that the new seats will improve representation, especially in heavily populated counties like Montserrado, Nimba, and Bong. While this is true, representation should not be expanded in isolation. Liberia needs effective institutions, not just more political offices. Representation without accountability may produce quantity, not quality, in governance.
If new seats are added without structural reforms, we risk creating a larger legislature with no measurable improvement in legislative performance, oversight, or policy outcomes.
A Moment for Responsible Decision-Making
As a policy professional, I believe Liberia should approach this proposal with caution. The current fiscal climate requires us to prioritize stability, efficiency, and strategic investment. For these reasons, maintaining the existing 73 seats remains a more economically responsible option.
If expansion must occur, it should be:
▪ Phased, not immediate
▪ Linked to legislative performance reforms
▪ Aligned with a cost-control framework
▪ Transparent, with public justification and analysis
Anything less risks increasing the burden on taxpayers without delivering tangible benefits.
A Call to National Reflection
The Senate now has an opportunity and a responsibility to scrutinize the economic and governance implications of this proposal. Lawmaking should always serve the national interest, not political convenience. Liberia must ask itself whether this decision strengthens the country’s future or adds new weight onto an already strained public budget.
Development is not measured by the number of people in government, but by the quality of services delivered to citizens. As the country continues pushing for reform, discipline, and progress, we must ensure that every policy decision reflects the realities of our economy and the aspirations of our people.
This is a time for strengthening systems, not expanding costs.
