By: Andrew B Weah,, 0770637216/0886429103, andrewbweah@gmail.com
IPNEWS: Representative Taa Z. K. Wongbe of Nimba County District #9 has outlined his firm position on the Legislature’s ongoing debate over the creation of additional electoral districts, cautioning colleagues against actions that violate the Constitution and increase national spending during an already difficult economic period.
Currently in Abuja on regional duty with the ECOWAS Parliament, Rep. Wongbe said it was important to publicly clarify his stance despite his absence from Tuesday’s deliberations.
Rep. Wongbe emphasized that Article 80 of the Liberian Constitution provides a clear roadmap for any adjustment to electoral districts. According to him, the law requires two fundamental steps:
1. The Legislature must establish a population threshold strictly based on the national census, and
2. Any creation or reapportionment of districts must align with population changes reflected in that census.
He noted that while the threshold adopted by the Legislature referenced census numbers, it did not strictly adhere to the population data, raising constitutional and procedural concerns.
“The technical work of applying that threshold including how districts are mapped and adjusted is governed by our election laws and long-standing national practice,” he said. “This process is designed to keep things fair, neutral, and data-driven. Pre-assigning seats before the proper technical process is completed compromises constitutional integrity and places political decisions ahead of legal requirements.”
Rep. Wongbe added that Liberia’s current economic reality makes the expansion of government both untimely and irresponsible. With major donor partners such as USAID and Sweden withdrawing support, he stressed that the nation should be prioritizing cost-cutting measures, reinvesting in essential services, and improving the livelihoods of frontline workers.
“Families are struggling. Schools and clinics need support. This is not the season for expanding the cost of government,” Wongbe said. “It is a season for discipline, fairness, and putting the country first.”
He threw his full support behind Senator Abraham Darius Dillon’s proposal to reduce lawmakers’ salaries to US$5,000, describing it as the type of leadership Liberia needs during challenging times.
Rep. Wongbe reaffirmed his commitment to a constitutional, transparent, and census-based district reapportionment process one that ensures fairness and protects the equal weight of every Liberian vote.
“Liberia deserves decisions grounded in law, responsibility, and common sense,” he concluded. “That is the leadership I am committed to” Taa said.
