-Say It Could Deepen Barriers to 2029 Elections
Monrovia — Women aspiring to contest Liberia’s 2029 elections have raised alarm over a proposed increase in candidate registration fees, warning that the steep hike could further marginalize women and financially disadvantaged Liberians from political participation.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has proposed raising the registration fee for representative candidates from US3,000—a sixfold increase that critics say is excessive and poorly timed, given ongoing efforts to boost women’s political representation.
Williette Payoudeh Cooper, an independent aspirant for Montserrado County District 13 who contested the 2023 elections, said she supports a modest adjustment but condemned the magnitude of the proposed increase.
“We are not against the increment, but the way in which it is being increased is terrible,” Cooper said in an interview following a three-day political leadership training organized by Sister Aid Liberia Incorporated and partners. She suggested a gradual increase to between US1,500 as a more reasonable threshold.
Financial Barriers Remain Critical
Cooper emphasized that money is already the single greatest obstacle for women in politics. Campaign costs—transportation, meetings, venues, refreshments, and outreach—quickly accumulate, and women often bear additional family responsibilities that strain their resources.
“Financial barrier, it’s a challenge today, it’s a challenge tomorrow, for women,” she said. Raising registration fees, she argued, would add yet another hurdle at a time when the country is striving to increase female participation in governance.
She called on the NEC to engage in dialogue with women’s political groups before finalizing the fee structure. “The Election Commission needs to have a dialogue with the women in political parties,” Cooper urged.
Cultural, Social Obstacles Persist
Beyond finances, Cooper identified cultural and religious norms, cyberbullying, and family obligations as persistent barriers. Late-night political meetings, she noted, often exclude women with children and domestic duties.
Sandra Massa-William, a 2023 candidate for Margibi County District 2, echoed those concerns. She recounted receiving discouraging and negative comments during her campaign but resolved to press on. She plans to return to Margibi to encourage women to vote for female candidates based on competence and community representation.
“I am going back to Margibi to talk to my women that we should be able to vote for women,” Massa-William said, urging her fellow trainees to remain resilient.
Democracy Should Not Be ‘for the Elite’
Cooper warned that excessive fees could turn political competition into a preserve of the wealthy, undermining democratic inclusivity.
“Our democracy should not be a part of the elite,” she said. “Something must be done.”
She appealed to lawmakers to review the proposed fees and significantly reduce the planned increase, arguing that a more affordable system would give women, youth, and other financially constrained citizens a fairer shot at elective office. “We all have to participate to make our country a better place,” Cooper said.
