ALCOD Shifts Advocacy Focus to Absentee Voting Rights for Liberians Abroad
ALCOD, the leading advocate for dual citizenship among diaspora Liberians, has shifted focus to promoting absentee voting. Engaging legal experts and appealing to President Boakai for the government’s position on absentee balloting is central to their strategy. ALCOD has previously worked with the NEC and lawmakers, underlining the need for established processes and collaboration to ensure successful implementation for the 2029 elections.
The All-Liberian Conference on Dual Citizenship (ALCOD), an organization dedicated to advocating for dual citizenship and related rights for Liberians in the diaspora, has shifted its focus to promoting out-of-country voting. This strategic pivot includes eliciting expert opinions from esteemed legal professionals and influential Liberians outside of the government to bolster their advocacy efforts.
During the Diaspora Liberians Annual Return 2024 event, ALCOD’s delegation engaged in discussions with constitutional and human rights lawyers, evaluating effective strategies for advocating for out-of-country voting rights. Previously, ALCOD had sought dialogue with the National Elections Commission (NEC) and lawmakers to explore options for allowing diaspora participation in the 2029 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
ALCOD’s advocacy is grounded in Article 80 Section ‘C’ of the 1986 Constitution, which asserts that every Liberian citizen has the right to register in a constituency and vote either in person or via absentee ballot. To advance their agenda, ALCOD aims to seek a formal statement from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. regarding the government’s position on these voting modalities for expatriate Liberians.
Counselor Tiawan Saye Gongloe, a noted human rights and constitutional lawyer, advised ALCOD that knowing the government’s formal stance would significantly aid their advocacy strategy. He emphasized that a lack of clarity on this matter would present challenges for out-of-country voting proponents. This input has been echoed in discussions with other legal professionals Delta.
In response to these recommendations, ALCOD has instructed its Eminent Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel S. Wettee, to spearhead an appeal to President Boakai for clarification on the definitions of “constituency” and “absentee ballot” per Article 80 Section ‘C’. Mr. Wettee is also tasked with collaborating with other diaspora groups to amplify this appeal.
The ALCOD delegation has frequently engaged with NEC officials to explore avenues for establishing out-of-country voting. ALCOD reports that the NEC has demonstrated a willingness to facilitate this initiative, contingent on the availability of adequate resources and infrastructure.
Additionally, ALCOD has been soliciting support from sympathetic lawmakers willing to collaborate on legislative amendments necessary for actualizing out-of-country voting rights. They call upon all diaspora Liberians to collectively advocate for this cause.
The organization recognizes the contributions of Mr. Michael Mueller and Cllr. Jerome Verdier, who have been advocating for out-of-country voting through various channels. As the primary proponent of dual citizenship and absentee voting, ALCOD previously achieved dual citizenship rights in July 2022, following a sustained campaign that began in December 2012.
The organization successfully influenced the passage of an amendment to the Alien and Nationality Law by the House of Representatives in November 2021, with subsequent concurrence from the Senate in May 2022. This legislative milestone aligns with ALCOD’s guiding principle that “Once a Liberian, Always a Liberian.” Following these developments, ALCOD reported a significant uptake of passports by dual citizens, anticipating that many more will obtain their passports by 2026.
In conclusion, ALCOD’s strategic pivot towards advocating for out-of-country voting reflects a commitment to inclusivity for Liberians abroad. By seeking formal government definitions and collaborating with legal experts, ALCOD aims to clarify the legal parameters of absentee voting. Their ongoing dialogues with the NEC and lawmakers, alongside leveraging community support, will be crucial in achieving this objective. The successes attained in dual citizenship advocacy serve as a testament to the potential impact of collective efforts in realizing voting rights for diaspora Liberians.
Original Source: www.liberianobserver.com
