Days after his public commitment, House Speaker, Richard Nagbe Koon, has proposed a bold reform to Liberia’s electoral system, calling for newly created legislative seats to be reserved exclusively for women, with one additional seat set aside for persons living with disabilities.
The proposal was a standout moment in Speaker Koon’s address today during the official close of the second quarter of the second session of the 55th Legislature.
According to the House of Representatives Press Department, Speaker Koon urged lawmakers to “seize this moment to make history,” emphasizing that the validated 2022 Census results from the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services must serve as the foundation for recalibrating the nation’s electoral threshold.
He formally charged the Joint Committee on Elections and Inauguration, Judiciary, and Good Governance to begin due diligence in formulating the new threshold.
Reviewing the quarter’s performance, the Speaker outlined an active legislative calendar that included regular, executive, and special sittings.
A total of 42 bills were passed, spanning proposals from lawmakers, the Executive, and the Senate, alongside one joint resolution and the review of dozens of bills, petitions, and resolutions still in committee rooms.
Speaker Koon cited significant instruments advanced this term, including Liberia’s ratification of a loan agreement with the OPEC Fund for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone Project and the adoption of the African Court on Human and People’s Rights protocol.
He commended the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for the timely release of operational funds, which he said enhanced the House’s effectiveness.
He encouraged all members to use the recess as a time for meaningful engagement with their constituents, noting that public voices should continue to guide legislative priorities.
The Speaker also emphasized the need for committees, especially Public Accounts and Audit, to persist in their work and ensure comprehensive reports are ready for early third-quarter endorsement.
Meanwhile, Speaker Koon thanked his colleagues for reaffirming his leadership during the May 12 Speakership election and paid tribute to Liberia’s diplomatic and religious partners for their role in preserving peace and supporting the country’s democratic transition.
He called on lawmakers to recommit to their oath of service with “honour, diligence, and patriotism,” expressing hope for a more productive and unified upcoming quarter.
