Liberian Supreme Court orders cancellation of referendum

The Liberian Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the opposition to have the planned 8 December referendum cancelled for public sensitisation.

The court, in a unanimous decision, said the referendum as planned violates the country’s constitution.

Liberian lawyers, the journalists’ union and the council of churches had called for postponement of the referendum .

“The referendum cannot take place until public education and awareness is conducted on the proposed amendments,” the court ruled in the case filed by the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP).

The referendum, set to be held alongside the senatorial by-elections on 8 December, seeks to change the president’s tenure from six to five years, senators’ tenure from nine to seven years and allowing people to have dual citizenship, among other propositions.

Source: BBC