By Jonathan Browne
Document in the possession of the NEW DAWN reveals that Joint Resolution 003/2022 by the Liberian Senate and the House of Representatives, authorizing the Executive branch of government to extend conduct of the 2022 National Population and Housing Census was signed by President George Weah and published into Handbill four days after actual enumeration was announced, which critics say is illegal.
The joint resolution was adopted by the Liberia Senate on November 10, 2022, after members of the House of Representatives had penned the document on 7 November 2022.
President Weah declared a public holiday here on 11 November 2022, closing schools, business houses and ordering public workers and the general population to stay home to be counted, but the joint resolution to extend the census from (October 24th to November 7, 2022) up to January 15, 2023, was signed by the Executive and published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 15 November 2022, while counting had already started in some parts of the country.
Nineteen senators of the 30-member Senate signed the document, including Saah H. Joseph of Montserrado County, Nyonblee K. Lawrence of Grand Bassa, J. Milton Teahjay and Augustine S. Chea of Sinoe county, James P. Biney and J. Gbleh-bo Brown of Maryland county, and Varney G. Sherman and Simeon B. Taylor of Grand Cape Mount county, respectively.
Other senators that also signed are Dr. Henrique F. Tokpa and Prince Kermue Moye of Bong county, Jeremiah Kpan Koung of Nimba, Stephen J. H. Zargo and Joseph Kpator Jallah of Lofa county, Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr. of Bomi, Dr. Jim W. Tornonlah and J. Emmanuel Nuquay of Margibi, Francis S. Pay and Wellington Geevon Smith of River Cess, Numene T.H. Bartekwa of Grand Kru, and Botoe Kanneh of Gbarpolu county.
Senators Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado, Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba, A. Marshall Dennis and Zoe Emmanuel Pennue of Grand Gedeh, Morris G. Saytumah of Bomi, Conmany B. Wesseh and Jonathan Boycharles Sogbie of River Gee, and Daniel F. Naatehn did not sign.
In the House of Representatives, 43 of the 72 members signed the joint resolution on November 7, 2022.
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