MONROVIA – The complaint filed by Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh for fraud and irregularity against the National Elections Commission (NEC) in the just-ended senatorial election in Nimba County has been denied by NEC first witness.
Taking the witness stand on Thursday, January 14, 2021, witness Michael T.V Deddeh told the hearing officer and the gathering that, “No complain of fraud & irregularities were filed within any of the 741 polling places in Nimba County on the day of tally.
Mr. Deddeh explained further that, all parties’ representatives signed the tally sheets validating the records of counts on December 8, 2020 thereby waving their rights to any allegation of voting Fraud and Irregularity.
He said the record of counts is more authenticated during tallying because a copy is given to the first and second winner during the electoral processes which are signed by their representatives.
During his testimony, he blamed Madam Weh’s complaint on the lack of knowledge of fraud and cautioned Liberians participating in the electoral process to understand the processes leading to filing a complaint during election period.
He explained his long termed experience working with the NEC and admitted not working with them during this gone senatorial election because he served as the chief representative for Senator Elect, Jeremiah Koung who was announced as winner during the just ended election by NEC.
Commenting on the exchanged of Votes during the election in Saniquille as alleged by Edith Gongloe -Weh, he said NEC data entry system is unique and built in the way that you cannot alter any number without an official NEC code for correction which will come from the central data base.
He testified that it is impossible to give different number for another number because the machine will automatically lock and a request will be made by verification before any changes can be alter and in the presence of all representatives.
Edith complaint recorded several areas where there were alleged reports of Fraud & Irregularities, one of her witnesses On Monday January 11, 2021 who came to testify on behalf admitted that he was never present to have seen the alleged opening of ballot boxes containing ballot papers at the National Elections Commission officer in Nimba County.
Her witness, Princeston Wonkehmie Lofen told the hearing officer that he was informed by some members of his party that boxes containing ballots papers were allegedly opened at the office of the NEC in Saniquille but on his way to ascertain the facts, he was arrested by officer of the Liberia National police
Meanwhile, Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh earlier on expressed serious disappointment in the CDC government and the Collaboration with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDR) for cohort Fraud and Irregularities to denied her from winning the Senatorial election, but she is yet to prove her case as the trial continues today at 12:00.