Opposition Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has raised multiple questions over the rationale behind the House of Representatives allegedly increasing registration fees for a seat at the Liberian Senate about five times and the House of Representatives about ten times the previous registration fees charged aspirants.
Through his Facebook post-Thursday evening, 24 February 2022, Mr. Dillon claimed that the House of Representatives is seeking an astronomical increase in the registration fees for the Liberian Senate from $1,500 to $7,500 and the House of Representatives from $500 to $5000.
“I am very deeply concerned and would love to understand the rationale behind the House of Representatives reportedly seeking an astronomical increase in the registration fees for elective offices at the Legislature,” Mr. Dillon wrote Thursday.
“Senator from $1,500 to $7,500, and Representative from $500 to $5000???” Mr. Dillon revealed further.
Liberia is due to hold elections next year for both lawmakers and the presidency.
Recent election outcomes have shown that a lot of lawmakers who did not appear to perform to the satisfaction of their constituencies did not get reelected.
That brought in many newcomers to the Capitol, especially after the 2020 senatorial elections.
In 2023, 15 Senatorial seats and all the 71 seats at the House of Representatives would be contested for, both by incumbents and new forces that are seeking to replace those already in elected offices.
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But Senator Dillon, one of the newly elected officials who has just begun a nine-year term, says the House’s move brings few questions to his mind.
He wonders if this is “just another means of revenue generation for the Government via the Elections Commission?”
He also ponders if there are some logical, concrete justifications for said proposed increase in registration fees for elected seats.
“Is this a means of seeking to discourage and or deprive people from contesting?” he asked further.
Mr. Dillon said he wants to know how such an increase in the fees guarantees improved quality representation at the Legislature.
“Is it the high registration fees paid to get elected that ensures productivity or the character, discipline, principles, etc … of those elected (rich [or] poor)?” he asked.
He concluded in his post that he really wishes to know as he awaits the Bill from the House of Representatives.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/dillon-fights-back-arthur-johnson-talking-nonsense/
