Liberia: NEC workers blast Rep. Musa Bility, Acarous Gray for politicizing issues affecting their wellbeing

Monrovia – Aggrieved employees of the National Election Commission (NEC) have lauded President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for the “Bold Step taken” to suspend the Chair of the Commission, Madam Davidetta Brown Lassana, but however, think the President was generous enough to only suspend the NEC chair.

In a statement released over the weekend, the workers criticized and frowned at Nimba County District#7 Representative Musa Bility and former Montserrado County District #8 representative Acarous Gray for “politicizing the decision” of the President without considering the bigger picture of ensuring stability at the NEC. 

“While we do not expect politicians, especially those from the opposition to hail and applaud the president for hearing the cry of the staff of the Commission, by removing the ‘burden’ we have been carrying for years, they should have at least been concerned about the stability of our country’s election house, the bridge between peace and anarchy in Liberia.

“It is disgusting to note that politicians such including Bility, Gray and others are politicizing a matter of human rights and national security in support of the suspended Commissioner.

The employees also claimed since the inception of an “unwarranted crisis, operations,” regular work activities have been paralyzed for nearly three months as partners of the NEC, including, UNDP, have scaled down their support due to leadership failure and the unfriendly work environment. 

They believe President Boakai acted within the scope of his legal authority as provided by law, because the law provides for the removal of the NEC chairperson for a cause. 

“In the instant case, Madam Chairperson has provided adequate reasons for her own removal but the president being as generous as he is, rewarded her with an indefinite suspension in order to restore calm and stability to the Commission.”

According to them, the news about her suspension has brought relief to the entire workforce, especially the 25 dismissed employees. “There are concerns out in the public regarding the justification of the Chairperson’s suspension that we believe need to be addressed.”

In response to some public criticisms against President Boakai’s decision to suspend the NEC boss, they have outlined conditions at the NEC which they believe justify the decision of the president to not only suspend her but remove her in keeping with laws. 

According to them, over the period of five (5) years, the workforce at the NEC has experienced nothing but an “authoritarian” rule at the hands of Chairperson Lansanah, characterized by wanton corruption for which she was indicted by the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission.

They have also claimed that staff at the NEC are treated with no respect to the point where opinions expressed in meetings are treated as an affront and subjected to internal investigation and eventually leads to dismissal. 

“At the level of the Board, the Chairperson has taken a dominant posture so much so that Plenary sessions have been reduced into chat room discussions. In most instances, travels intended for staff of the Commission are single handedly made by the Chairperson. Upon her return, there is hardly any report made. 

“Staff of the Commission were transferred to different sections without the knowledge and approval of the rest of the Commissioners.” 

Comprehensive audit of the NEC

In furtherance of their support to the President’s action, the aggrieved employees are also calling for a comprehensive audit of the National Elections Commission accounts and warned against “manipulative mechanisms” being orchestrated against common Liberians by people in high places, especially those in close proximity of the Presidency.