Ultra Vires

2 Mins Read

ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has joined a growing wave of critics denouncing the House of Representatives’ decision to create 14 additional electoral districts,  saying the move is beyond the body’s constitutional authority.

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, the House approved a bill establishing the new districts across eight counties. If the Senate concurs, Montserrado County would receive four additional districts; Bong, Lofa and Nimba counties would each receive two; and Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh and Margibi counties would receive one apiece. The expansion would increase the number of electoral districts from 73 to 87.

The decision has ignited widespread public outcry as Liberia continues to confront persistent economic hardship. Many citizens argue that expanding the Legislature would deepen financial strain on a government already struggling to meet basic obligations.

“The Legislature should be reducing costs, not increasing them,” said Moses Hallie, a commercial driver in Monrovia. “It makes no sense to create more districts when even the current 73 representatives and 30 senators are not meeting citizens’ expectations.”

On Tuesday evening, Senator Dillon took to his official Facebook page, signaling plans to challenge the legality of the House’s action. “I will speak to Article 80 (c & d) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia and tell how and why I hold that the House of Representatives is constitutionally in error regarding the proposal of 14 additional representative seats versus the validated 2022 National Population Census report. Yes, watch out!” he wrote.

Political activist Martin K. N. Kollie, writing from exile, criticized the move as a reckless misuse of public resources. “What are Liberians benefiting from the first 103 seats that you’re occupying now that you want to create 14 more?” he wrote. “We should be focused on cutting your huge salaries and benefits to at most US$5,000. Create 14 factories, not 14 seats.”

Public frustration continues to grow, with many Liberians expressing anger on social media and in community discussions. Critics say the move does little to address unemployment, inflation and other urgent national issues.