Tagged: WRIT OF MANDAMUS

The conduct of free, fair and credible elections is the bedrock of all democracy. It is the process by which a nation and a people determine who will and who should govern and direct the course of their lives for a given period of time, especially as provided for by the highest law of their land—the Constitution. Through elections, the people manifest their desire for a civilized and democratic order. These objectives were not lost by the framers of our Constitution, adopted in 1984 and with an effective date of January 6, 1986, when they crafted these words: “All power is inherent in the people. All free governments are instituted by their authority and for their benefit and they have the right to alter and reform the same when their safety and happiness so require. In order to ensure democratic government which responds to the wishes of the governed, the people shall have the right at such period, and in such manner as provided for under this Constitution, to cause their public servants to leave office and to fill vacancies by regular elections and appointments [Emphasis ours].

The Liberian Constitution of 1986 effectuates this vision, a democratic constitutional