ARTICLE 1Political power belongs to the people. Government derives its authority from them and serves their benefit; regular elections and appointments replace public servants as the Constitution provides.
Summary · Read Article 1ARTICLE 2The Constitution is Liberia’s highest law. Inconsistent laws and other rules are void to the extent of the conflict; the Supreme Court may declare laws unconstitutional.
Summary · Read Article 2ARTICLE 3Liberia is a unitary republic with counties for administration and three separate, coordinate branches: the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, subject to constitutional checks and exceptions.
Summary · Read Article 3ARTICLE 4The national-policy principles in Chapter II guide legislation, executive and administrative directives, policymaking and implementation.
Summary · Read Article 4ARTICLE 5The Republic must promote national unity and positive Liberian culture, developing traditional values compatible with public policy and national progress, and act against tribalism, nepotism and other abuses of power.
Summary · Read Article 5ARTICLE 6The Republic must provide all citizens equal access to educational opportunities and facilities to the extent of available resources, emphasizing mass education and the elimination of illiteracy.
Summary · Read Article 6ARTICLE 7Economic and natural-resource management must promote the greatest feasible participation of Liberian citizens on equal terms, consistent with individual freedom, social justice and public welfare.
Summary · Read Article 7ARTICLE 8State policy must pursue nondiscriminatory employment and livelihood opportunities for citizens under just and humane conditions, and promote safety, health and welfare facilities at work.
Summary · Read Article 8ARTICLE 9The Republic must encourage bilateral and regional cooperation and regional organizations supporting cultural, social, political and economic development in Africa and beyond.
Summary · Read Article 9ARTICLE 10The Republic must publish and distribute the Constitution throughout Liberia and ensure its principles and provisions are taught in all institutions of learning.
Summary · Read Article 10ARTICLE 11All persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection. Fundamental rights include life, liberty, security and property, subject to the Constitution’s qualifications.
Summary · Read Article 11ARTICLE 12Slavery and forced labor are prohibited. Reasonable court-ordered labor meeting acceptable standards, military service, normal civil obligations and service during community-threatening emergencies are excluded from the definition of forced labor.
Summary · Read Article 12ARTICLE 13People lawfully in Liberia may move, reside and leave freely, subject to safeguards for public security, order, health, morals and others’ rights. Liberian citizens have the right to enter and leave Liberia.
Summary · Read Article 13ARTICLE 14Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is protected, subject to lawful safeguards for public safety, order, health, morals and others’ rights. No state religion or religious test for public office is permitted.
Summary · Read Article 14ARTICLE 15Expression includes speech, press and academic freedom, with responsibility for abuse. Restrictions require a constitutional emergency or judicial proceedings on the privacy, defamation and commercial grounds specified in this article.
Summary · Read Article 15ARTICLE 16Interference with the privacy of a person, family, home or correspondence requires an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
Summary · Read Article 16ARTICLE 17People may assemble, petition government and associate—or refuse to associate—in parties, unions and other organizations, in an orderly and peaceful manner.
Summary · Read Article 17ARTICLE 18Liberian citizens are entitled to equal employment opportunities regardless of the listed personal or political characteristics, and to equal pay for equal work.
Summary · Read Article 18ARTICLE 19Only members of Liberia’s Armed Forces or militia in active service may be subjected to military law, its penalties or trial by court-martial.
Summary · Read Article 19ARTICLE 20Deprivation of protected rights requires a hearing and judgment consistent with due process. Appeals from courts and administrative bodies are protected, except from the Supreme Court.
Summary · Read Article 20ARTICLE 21In criminal cases, an accused person is presumed innocent until guilt is proved beyond a reasonable doubt and cannot be compelled to provide evidence against themselves.
Summary · Read Article 21ARTICLE 22Property may be owned individually or jointly. Real-property ownership is reserved to Liberian citizens, with specified institutional and diplomatic exceptions. Private ownership excludes mineral resources and lands beneath seas and waterways.
Summary · Read Article 22ARTICLE 23Property held before marriage or acquired through one’s own labor cannot pay a spouse’s debts. A spouse cannot control or alienate legally secured property without free, voluntary consent; inheritance laws must protect surviving spouses and children.
Summary · Read Article 23ARTICLE 24Expropriation for public purposes requires stated reasons and prompt, just compensation, with a penalty-free court challenge. When public use ends, the former owner or successors have first refusal to reacquire the property.
Summary · Read Article 24ARTICLE 25The Republic must guarantee contractual obligations, and legislation must not impair that protection.
Summary · Read Article 25ARTICLE 26People and associations may seek court remedies for constitutional violations. Anyone injured by government action may sue for redress; the text directs suits against government to a Claims Court, with appeal to the Supreme Court.
Summary · Read Article 26ARTICLE 27Existing lawful citizens retain citizenship. The 1986 text restricts citizenship by birth or naturalization to people described as ‘Negroes or of Negro descent’; the Legislature sets further naturalization criteria within that standard.
Summary · Read Article 27ARTICLE 28The 1986 text grants citizenship where a parent was Liberian at birth, with a maturity-stage renunciation proviso for another citizenship acquired through a foreign parent. It also protects changing nationality and bars deprivation except as provided by law.
Summary · Read Article 28ARTICLE 29Legislative power belongs to the Senate and House of Representatives. Both chambers must pass on legislation.
Summary · Read Article 29ARTICLE 30Legislators must be Liberian citizens and taxpayers, at least 30 for the Senate or 25 for the House, and domiciled in the area represented for at least one year before election.
Summary · Read Article 30ARTICLE 31Before taking their seats, legislators must swear or affirm before their chamber’s presiding officer and members to uphold the Constitution and laws and faithfully perform their duties.
Summary · Read Article 31ARTICLE 32The Legislature’s annual regular session begins on the second working Monday in January. The President may extend sessions or call extraordinary sessions under this article’s procedures.
Summary · Read Article 32ARTICLE 33A simple majority of each chamber forms a quorum. Fewer members may adjourn daily and compel attendance. The House of Representatives’ presiding officer chairs joint sessions.
Summary · Read Article 33ARTICLE 34Legislative powers include taxation, borrowing and commerce regulation. Revenue and other financial bills must start in the House of Representatives; the Senate may propose or agree to amendments.
Summary · Read Article 34ARTICLE 35Bills or resolutions passed by both chambers go to the President. A veto can be overridden by two-thirds in each chamber; after 20 days without return, a measure becomes law unless adjournment prevents its return.
Summary · Read Article 35ARTICLE 36Senators’ and Representatives’ pay is fixed by law. Any increase takes effect at the beginning of the next fiscal year.
Summary · Read Article 36ARTICLE 37A legislative vacancy must be reported to the Elections Commission within 30 days; a by-election follows within 90 days of notification. Vacancies arising within 90 days before general elections wait for those elections.
Summary · Read Article 37ARTICLE 41Legislative business uses English or, after adequate preparations, other Liberian languages approved by legislative resolution.
Summary · Read Article 41ARTICLE 42Legislators are protected for official opinions and votes. Arrest privilege while attending, going to or returning from legislative sessions excludes treason, felony and breach of the peace.
Summary · Read Article 42ARTICLE 43Only the House prepares impeachment bills; only the Senate tries impeachments. The Constitution requires concurrence of two-thirds of the Senate’s total membership and due process.
Summary · Read Article 43ARTICLE 44Obstruction of legislative duties may attract reasonable contempt sanctions after a due-process hearing. Sanctions cannot extend beyond that session and must respect fundamental rights.
Summary · Read Article 44ARTICLE 45Each county elects two Senators for nine-year terms, with re-election permitted. A Senator elected at a by-election serves only the remainder of the vacant term.
Summary · Read Article 45ARTICLE 46For the first Senate under this Constitution, two categories staggered terms: nine years for one and an initial six years for the other. Thereafter, regular Senate terms are nine years.
Summary · Read Article 46ARTICLE 48Registered constituency voters elect House members for six-year terms, with re-election permitted. Members elected at by-elections serve only the remainder of the vacant term.
Summary · Read Article 48ARTICLE 50The President heads the State, Government and Armed Forces. Registered voters elect the President for a six-year term; no person may serve more than two terms.
Summary · Read Article 50ARTICLE 52The text requires presidential and vice-presidential candidates to be natural-born Liberians, at least 35, with unencumbered real property worth at least $25,000 and ten years’ residence before election; they must come from different counties.
Summary · Read Article 52ARTICLE 54The President nominates and, with Senate consent, appoints specified officials, including cabinet ministers, judges, ambassadors, superintendents and military officers at lieutenant rank or above.
Summary · Read Article 54ARTICLE 77Elections use secret ballots. Liberian citizens aged 18 or older have the right to register and vote in public elections and referenda. Measures creating a one-party state are unconstitutional.
Summary · Read Article 77ARTICLE 83Article 83(a) schedules presidential and legislative voting for the second Tuesday in October of each election year. The article also addresses election results, complaints and financial disclosures.
Summary · Read Article 83ARTICLE 91Amendments require a proposal supported by two-thirds of both chambers, directly or following a petition of at least 10,000 citizens, then approval by two-thirds of registered voters voting in a referendum at least one year after legislative action.
Summary · Read Article 91ARTICLE 1Political power belongs to the people. Government derives its authority from them and serves their benefit; regular elections and appointments replace public servants as the Constitution provides.
Summary · Read Article 1ARTICLE 2The Constitution is Liberia’s highest law. Inconsistent laws and other rules are void to the extent of the conflict; the Supreme Court may declare laws unconstitutional.
Summary · Read Article 2ARTICLE 3Liberia is a unitary republic with counties for administration and three separate, coordinate branches: the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, subject to constitutional checks and exceptions.
Summary · Read Article 3ARTICLE 4The national-policy principles in Chapter II guide legislation, executive and administrative directives, policymaking and implementation.
Summary · Read Article 4ARTICLE 5The Republic must promote national unity and positive Liberian culture, developing traditional values compatible with public policy and national progress, and act against tribalism, nepotism and other abuses of power.
Summary · Read Article 5ARTICLE 6The Republic must provide all citizens equal access to educational opportunities and facilities to the extent of available resources, emphasizing mass education and the elimination of illiteracy.
Summary · Read Article 6ARTICLE 7Economic and natural-resource management must promote the greatest feasible participation of Liberian citizens on equal terms, consistent with individual freedom, social justice and public welfare.
Summary · Read Article 7ARTICLE 8State policy must pursue nondiscriminatory employment and livelihood opportunities for citizens under just and humane conditions, and promote safety, health and welfare facilities at work.
Summary · Read Article 8ARTICLE 9The Republic must encourage bilateral and regional cooperation and regional organizations supporting cultural, social, political and economic development in Africa and beyond.
Summary · Read Article 9ARTICLE 10The Republic must publish and distribute the Constitution throughout Liberia and ensure its principles and provisions are taught in all institutions of learning.
Summary · Read Article 10ARTICLE 11All persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection. Fundamental rights include life, liberty, security and property, subject to the Constitution’s qualifications.
Summary · Read Article 11ARTICLE 12Slavery and forced labor are prohibited. Reasonable court-ordered labor meeting acceptable standards, military service, normal civil obligations and service during community-threatening emergencies are excluded from the definition of forced labor.
Summary · Read Article 12ARTICLE 13People lawfully in Liberia may move, reside and leave freely, subject to safeguards for public security, order, health, morals and others’ rights. Liberian citizens have the right to enter and leave Liberia.
Summary · Read Article 13ARTICLE 14Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is protected, subject to lawful safeguards for public safety, order, health, morals and others’ rights. No state religion or religious test for public office is permitted.
Summary · Read Article 14ARTICLE 15Expression includes speech, press and academic freedom, with responsibility for abuse. Restrictions require a constitutional emergency or judicial proceedings on the privacy, defamation and commercial grounds specified in this article.
Summary · Read Article 15ARTICLE 16Interference with the privacy of a person, family, home or correspondence requires an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
Summary · Read Article 16ARTICLE 17People may assemble, petition government and associate—or refuse to associate—in parties, unions and other organizations, in an orderly and peaceful manner.
Summary · Read Article 17ARTICLE 18Liberian citizens are entitled to equal employment opportunities regardless of the listed personal or political characteristics, and to equal pay for equal work.
Summary · Read Article 18ARTICLE 19Only members of Liberia’s Armed Forces or militia in active service may be subjected to military law, its penalties or trial by court-martial.
Summary · Read Article 19ARTICLE 20Deprivation of protected rights requires a hearing and judgment consistent with due process. Appeals from courts and administrative bodies are protected, except from the Supreme Court.
Summary · Read Article 20ARTICLE 21In criminal cases, an accused person is presumed innocent until guilt is proved beyond a reasonable doubt and cannot be compelled to provide evidence against themselves.
Summary · Read Article 21ARTICLE 22Property may be owned individually or jointly. Real-property ownership is reserved to Liberian citizens, with specified institutional and diplomatic exceptions. Private ownership excludes mineral resources and lands beneath seas and waterways.
Summary · Read Article 22ARTICLE 23Property held before marriage or acquired through one’s own labor cannot pay a spouse’s debts. A spouse cannot control or alienate legally secured property without free, voluntary consent; inheritance laws must protect surviving spouses and children.
Summary · Read Article 23ARTICLE 24Expropriation for public purposes requires stated reasons and prompt, just compensation, with a penalty-free court challenge. When public use ends, the former owner or successors have first refusal to reacquire the property.
Summary · Read Article 24ARTICLE 25The Republic must guarantee contractual obligations, and legislation must not impair that protection.
Summary · Read Article 25ARTICLE 26People and associations may seek court remedies for constitutional violations. Anyone injured by government action may sue for redress; the text directs suits against government to a Claims Court, with appeal to the Supreme Court.
Summary · Read Article 26ARTICLE 27Existing lawful citizens retain citizenship. The 1986 text restricts citizenship by birth or naturalization to people described as ‘Negroes or of Negro descent’; the Legislature sets further naturalization criteria within that standard.
Summary · Read Article 27ARTICLE 28The 1986 text grants citizenship where a parent was Liberian at birth, with a maturity-stage renunciation proviso for another citizenship acquired through a foreign parent. It also protects changing nationality and bars deprivation except as provided by law.
Summary · Read Article 28ARTICLE 29Legislative power belongs to the Senate and House of Representatives. Both chambers must pass on legislation.
Summary · Read Article 29ARTICLE 30Legislators must be Liberian citizens and taxpayers, at least 30 for the Senate or 25 for the House, and domiciled in the area represented for at least one year before election.
Summary · Read Article 30ARTICLE 31Before taking their seats, legislators must swear or affirm before their chamber’s presiding officer and members to uphold the Constitution and laws and faithfully perform their duties.
Summary · Read Article 31ARTICLE 32The Legislature’s annual regular session begins on the second working Monday in January. The President may extend sessions or call extraordinary sessions under this article’s procedures.
Summary · Read Article 32ARTICLE 33A simple majority of each chamber forms a quorum. Fewer members may adjourn daily and compel attendance. The House of Representatives’ presiding officer chairs joint sessions.
Summary · Read Article 33ARTICLE 34Legislative powers include taxation, borrowing and commerce regulation. Revenue and other financial bills must start in the House of Representatives; the Senate may propose or agree to amendments.
Summary · Read Article 34ARTICLE 35Bills or resolutions passed by both chambers go to the President. A veto can be overridden by two-thirds in each chamber; after 20 days without return, a measure becomes law unless adjournment prevents its return.
Summary · Read Article 35ARTICLE 36Senators’ and Representatives’ pay is fixed by law. Any increase takes effect at the beginning of the next fiscal year.
Summary · Read Article 36ARTICLE 37A legislative vacancy must be reported to the Elections Commission within 30 days; a by-election follows within 90 days of notification. Vacancies arising within 90 days before general elections wait for those elections.
Summary · Read Article 37ARTICLE 41Legislative business uses English or, after adequate preparations, other Liberian languages approved by legislative resolution.
Summary · Read Article 41ARTICLE 42Legislators are protected for official opinions and votes. Arrest privilege while attending, going to or returning from legislative sessions excludes treason, felony and breach of the peace.
Summary · Read Article 42ARTICLE 43Only the House prepares impeachment bills; only the Senate tries impeachments. The Constitution requires concurrence of two-thirds of the Senate’s total membership and due process.
Summary · Read Article 43ARTICLE 44Obstruction of legislative duties may attract reasonable contempt sanctions after a due-process hearing. Sanctions cannot extend beyond that session and must respect fundamental rights.
Summary · Read Article 44ARTICLE 45Each county elects two Senators for nine-year terms, with re-election permitted. A Senator elected at a by-election serves only the remainder of the vacant term.
Summary · Read Article 45ARTICLE 46For the first Senate under this Constitution, two categories staggered terms: nine years for one and an initial six years for the other. Thereafter, regular Senate terms are nine years.
Summary · Read Article 46ARTICLE 48Registered constituency voters elect House members for six-year terms, with re-election permitted. Members elected at by-elections serve only the remainder of the vacant term.
Summary · Read Article 48ARTICLE 50The President heads the State, Government and Armed Forces. Registered voters elect the President for a six-year term; no person may serve more than two terms.
Summary · Read Article 50ARTICLE 52The text requires presidential and vice-presidential candidates to be natural-born Liberians, at least 35, with unencumbered real property worth at least $25,000 and ten years’ residence before election; they must come from different counties.
Summary · Read Article 52ARTICLE 54The President nominates and, with Senate consent, appoints specified officials, including cabinet ministers, judges, ambassadors, superintendents and military officers at lieutenant rank or above.
Summary · Read Article 54ARTICLE 77Elections use secret ballots. Liberian citizens aged 18 or older have the right to register and vote in public elections and referenda. Measures creating a one-party state are unconstitutional.
Summary · Read Article 77ARTICLE 83Article 83(a) schedules presidential and legislative voting for the second Tuesday in October of each election year. The article also addresses election results, complaints and financial disclosures.
Summary · Read Article 83ARTICLE 91Amendments require a proposal supported by two-thirds of both chambers, directly or following a petition of at least 10,000 citizens, then approval by two-thirds of registered voters voting in a referendum at least one year after legislative action.
Summary · Read Article 91