The National Elections Commission (NEC) says it is prepared to conduct the pending by-elections in Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties, and will do so without extra cost to the government.
Henry Karmo [email protected]
According to the National Elections Commission, the government will have no burden of raising money as there is already money available from the 2023 Presidential and general Elections.
The information is a result of a meeting held between Senate Pro-Tempore Sen. Nyonblee-Karnga-Lawrence and chairperson of the National Elections commission (NEC) to discuss issues surrounding the conduct of the pending by-elections in Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.
During the Meeting, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah informed the Pro-Tempore that funding for the elections will come from the balance of US$2 Million dollars of money allotted for 2023 elections.
She said, the available US$2million is a result of late released of funds during the 2023 general and Presidential elections. She also informed the Pro-Tempore of steps taken to inform the Ministry of finance about the need to release said funding.
However, she also informed the Senate Pro-Temp that portion of the US$2 million will be used to pay debts owe by the NEC and she furthered promised to Submit a comprehensive report with a breakdown of expenses made during the 2023 elections by next week.
In response, the Pro-Tempore thanked the NEC chairperson for the update and said, she awaits the reports.
The two by-elections are the result of the election of Senator Jeremiah Kpan-Koung of Nimba County to the position of Vice President of Liberia and the death of Rep. Madison Gwion who was declared winner of the Grand Gedeh District #3 elections by the NEC.
The National Elections Commission in 2023 submitted an adjusted US$61 million of the first US$91 Million budget to enable it conduct the crucial 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections in Liberia.
