Monrovia – The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has officially notified the National Elections Commission (NEC) of the relocation of its national headquarters to a temporary office in Saye Town, Sinkor, following the demolition of its Congo Town headquarters.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

In a formal letter to NEC Chairperson Madam Davidetta Browne Lansana, CDC Chaiman Atty. Janga A. Kowo described the demolition as a violation of the Liberian Constitution and the Civil Procedure Law, noting that the action occurred while the party still had an appeal pending at the Supreme Court regarding a case for Specific Performance on the purchase of the property.

The letter cites Article 20 (A & B) of the 1986 Constitution, emphasizing that no person or organization shall be deprived of property without due process of law, and highlights Chapter 51, §51.20 of the Civil Procedure Law, which establishes that an appeal effectively stays enforcement actions until a final judgment is rendered.

“The timing of the demolition on the eve of the NEC’s annual inspection of political parties’ headquarters raises serious concerns and may affect our legal standing as a political party,” Atty. Kowo wrote.

While awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision, the CDC has designated its Electoral District No. 8 office on 3rd Street, Saye Town, Sinkor as its temporary headquarters. The party reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing legal redress for what it describes as an unlawful demolition.

The is the latest decision the party has taken after its headquarters was demolished on Saturday following a court-evicted order enforced by Sheriffs and the Liberia National Police.

On Monday, former President George Manneh Weah, the party’s Standard Bearer and political leader set up the establishment of a special committee to spearhead the construction of a new party headquarters following the government’s demolition of its previous compound in Congo Town.

The new body, named the CDC National Headquarters Construction Committee, is tasked with mobilizing resources and ensuring the completion of the facility within one year.

The committee is chaired by former House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, with Senator Nathaniel F. McGill serving as Co-Chairman. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. will serve as Advisor, while Hon. Lenn Eugene Nagbe has been designated General Coordinator.

Other members include Madam Yvette Freeman, Quiwu Pepci Yekeh, John Youbuty (Treasurer), Dr. Marie Scott-Wilson, Kyne Oliver Kyne, Madam Ruth Cooker Collins (Technical Advisor), Yayah T. Sheriff, Ms. Famatta Wesseh (Secretary), Emmanuel T. Swen, Cllr. Garrison Yealu and Jurah Sanoe.

Other appointed to the CDC HQ contruction include Roosevelt Johnson Jr., Michael Andrew Massaquoi, Mamina Carr Gaye (Youth League), Sriyah Musu Isodjee (Women’s League), Isaac Doe, Samuel A. Wlue, Manneh George, Madam Ariminty Tubman and Mr. Abraham Askie.

According to the Standard Bearer’s office, the committee has been authorized to establish sub-committees as needed to effectively coordinate the project.

“The party continues to receive significant goodwill and support for this effort following the recent politically motivated action against its headquarters,” the statement noted. A designated bank account will be opened for contributions, with details to be made public along with other payment options.

The crisis at the National Elections Commission appears to be far from nearing any resolution as the Commission has declined to honor intervention by the Civil Service Agency (CSA).

By David S. Menjor, contributing writer

Recently, CSA wrote the NEC, with Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, Chairperson of the the Commission as the focused person accused of the wrongdoing of mass summary dismissal on one hand as well as the “Aggrieved Workforce” of the Commission through Rennie Gleegbar on the other hand, inviting the both sides for an amicable resolution of the impasse.

CSA’s action stemmed from a complaint filed to it by a group of NEC staff calling itself “Aggrieved Workforce” of NEC who registered that the Commission has summarily dismissed nearly 30 of its members amid protest for what they term as “just benefits.”

Josiah Jokai, Director General of CSA, however, received a strong resistance from NEC through its senior legal counsel, Cllr. A. Teage Jalloh as the Commission expressed its unwillingness to sit with the dismissed employees under the gavel of CSA for any resolution.

According to Teage, CSA lacks the legal authority to look into any matter from the NEC and as such, there is no reason to honor a sitting for a resolution.

Teage also argued that the complainant, Rennie Gleegbar who is serving as the spokesperson of the aggrieved and dismissed employees has not been dismissed and has no legal backing to speak for and on behalf of the dismissed.

“ The Civil Service Agency (CSA) lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the complaint. The 1973 Act that established the CSA as an agency within the Executive Branch of Government does not grant the CSA any authority to direct or review any employment related matter concerning the NEC, which was established as an independent commission under Article 89(B) of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia. Because the 1973 Act does not grant the CSA such authority, the CSA cannot, via a Standing Order, assume such authority,” Teage said.

According to the NEC legal man, “Assuming arguendo that a degree of authority exists, the CSA is prohibited both under the 1973 Act that established it and the 2012 Standing Orders of the Civil Service from reviewing, modifying, or reversing a matter of dismissal, as in the instant case. The 1973 Act and the Standing Orders are clear that the authority to do so rests with the President of the Republic of Liberia.”

He said “Where applicable, the agency is only required to notify the CSA of the dismissal. Hence, the CSA lacks authority to hear the instant alleged wrongful dismissal.”

Teage said Mr. Rennie B. Gleegbar, who filed the December 3, 2024 “wrongful dismissal” complaint, is a current employee at the NEC and has not been dismissed; hence, Mr.  Gleegbar lacks the capacity to factually and legally file a complaint of “wrongful dismissal” against the NEC.

He added that there is also no legally recognized group named as aggrieved workforce of the NEC and it should be clearly understood that people are only employed to work instead of protest.

“The NEC submits that no institution of government hires and pays any employee to carry out “protest.” Employees are hired to perform specific duties in line with the official functions for which the agency/institution of government they work for was established,” he noted, adding, “Hence, an employee who leaves his or her area of assignment; blocks the Commission’s entrances thereby resulting into other staff, members of the Board of Commissioners, members of the public, and the United Nations Development Programme -Liberia that is housed in the commission compound from entering and carrying out their respective functions and coordinates and makes disturbing noises and other unruly acts  during work hours in the Commission compound through the beating of drums were uncalled for.”

He continued that the protesting workers “put padlocks on the doors of the main building, thereby obstructing the functions of the Commission and threatened and intimidated other staff of the Commission, by writing on the wall next to the Human Resource Section of the Commission  the expression, “HR we coming for you”, and “ED the greedy hunter, you will die.”

NEC recently attributed its dismissal action to a policy manual which it said contains in Section 3.5 backing the summary dismissal for any action such as attack on the chairperson of senior officials at the Commission.

Teage said the actions of the protesters were not peaceful, even though they had the right to assemble and petition the Commission for their benefits as they claimed.

When contacted, CSA DG, Josiah Jokai said NEC is in error for thinking and believing that his agency does not have any legal backing to intervene in issues involving employees of the government who are not appointed by the President.

“We hope we can find a common ground to resolve the matter at the NEC. The Commission’s argument that CSA does not have the legal backing to intervene in matters involving its employees is erroneous and totally out of context. We did not need lawyers at today’s conference but they insisted on filing their response in such a legal way. We have taken their points and we are not in agreement with their assertion that we do not have the right to listen to all sides, particularly in this matter of huge dismissal,” Jokai said.

He said his office will continue to pursue all efforts to bring to an amicable resolution to the unfolding at the Commission.

“Those dismissed are all civil servants. We have all rights to hear from them and the other side. It is a unitary system of government and CSA cuts across all government Ministries, agencies and commissions. We are not saying any party is wrong or right at this moment. This is why we want to hear from them and we can reason together around one table and find peace and solution to the problem,” the CSA boss added.

For Rennie Gleegbar, NEC’s claim that because he was not dismissed he has no right to speak for and on behalf of the aggrieved staff is unfortunate.

“The Chairperson knows that I am the spokesperson of this group, and like those dismissed, I too have not received my four months’ hazard benefits following the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections. How then I don’t have the right today to speak? I don’t get it,” Gleegbar said.

He said his team is preparing a full official response to Teage’s submission and they are ready to go to any length with the Commission.

“We are doing everything to avoid litigation with the Commission but if they push us, we will not shy away. It is our right and we deserve our just benefits,” he concluded.

MONROVIA – Some voters in Sinoe County could not exercise their franchise on Tuesday due to drowning of ballot papers while transporting them to counties. These polling places would, therefore, be rescheduled for the elections.

Speaking at the first post-polling press conference, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Davidetta Browne-Lansannah, in Sinoe County, heavy rainfall over the past five days resulted in the Planson River overflowing its banks, cutting off access to many polling centers in District 2 in the county. She said, despite efforts by NEC staff, the river crossings remained impassable, affecting polling in at least 11 precincts.

Additionally, a truck carrying election materials to District One in Sinoe County became stuck in the mud due to bad road conditions, causing a late start to polling in that area.

River Cess County faced a similar situation, with the Timbo River overflowing its banks and delaying the arrival of NEC vehicles carrying election materials. Some precincts in River Cess District One did not open until as late as 11:00 am.

New Castle, Delaware – A former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf administration, Morris Momolu Dukuly, Sr., says Liberia’s peace and stability are more important than the comfort and personal interest of the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Davidetta Browne-Lansanah.

By Moses D. Sandy, mds66.sandy@aol.com, Contributing Writer

Mr. Dukuly, who also, served as Minister of Internal Affairs in the latter days of the Johnson-Sirleaf administration, says Liberia’s peace is “our collective interest, and no one including Chairperson Browne-Lansanah and commissioners of the NEC should toy with by tempering with the electoral process”. He emphasized, Liberia is at an inflection point, and the role of the NEC in the sustenance of the country’s democracy and peace, especially at a critical time like these when citizens of the country are gearing up for the October 10, 2023 presidential and legislative elections can’t be overstated. Adding, “These elections are the most consequential in the political history of Liberia”.

Incumbent President George Manneh Weah of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), is one of the 20 presidential hopes participating in the election. His main challenger is former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of the Unity Party (UP). Mr. Boakai was former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s Vice President for 12 years, but he lost to Mr. Weah in 2017 when he contested for the presidency.

In 2017, Mr. Weah, a retired soccer icon turned politician, was elected president overwhelmingly by Liberians for a six-year term. He won 14 of the 15 counties in Liberia representing more than 61 percent of the one million votes tallied. He is now seeking re-election after 6 years of dismal performance. Under his leadership, Liberia has failed to thrive in several key sectors such as rule of law, education, road connectivity, health, among others. Also, the problem of graft in the public sector has exacerbated.

Speaking recently in the US where he resides when he appeared virtually as a special guest in The Issues Room, a social media platform owned and operated by a group of US based Liberian journalists, former Minister Dukuly, who is also, an ex-Speaker of the disbanded National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA), said he is troubled by how Chairperson Browne-Lansanah and commissioners of the NEC are handling the electoral process. He observed, “From all indications, it seems the Commission is unprepared for conducting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Liberia”.

He said October 10^th, the date for presidential and legislative elections in Liberia, is fast approaching, but the Commission is still printing the Final Registration Roll (FRR) for voters. Moreover, he noted, Chairperson Browne-Lansanah comes across as indifferent, unmoved, and arrogant when speaking to political leaders and the media. The former Speaker said Mrs. Browne-Lansanah is not forthcoming in providing updates to the media, political parties, and stakeholders about critical electoral matters including the deployment of election workers and logistics in areas that are inaccessible in rural Liberia.

He disclosed, “I recommended Davidetta to former President Johnson-Sirleaf for appointment as commissioner at the NEC when a vacancy was created, and the President wanted a female representation. Then I was Minister of State for Presidential Affairs. However, I am disappointed and deeply troubled by her underperformance at the NEC. Davidetta is incompetent, and her dismal performance is impeding the work of the Commission”.

He furthered, “This is crisis time in Liberia, but Davidetta is nonchalant because she doesn’t understand the enormity of the task at hand”. He said Liberia is at the brink of a constitutional crisis if the NEC fails to conduct the current leadership elections with honesty and due diligence. Former Minister Dukuly maintained the 2023 leadership election in Liberia is not an event, but a process that “Davidetta and the NEC knew about nearly six years ago, yet they failed to prepare for the task at hand”.

Meanwhile, the former Minister of State and Presidential Affairs says if Chairperson Browne-Lansanah for any reason other than mitigating factors beyond her control, plays with the peace of the Liberian people by tempering with the electoral process and its outcomes, she “will sit in judgement”. He emphasized, “don’t try it because you will be held accountable”.

He cautioned the NEC boss and her team of commissioners to ensure that nothing is done to thwart the will of the Liberian people. He admonished, “Whoever wins the presidency, must win fairly. If the people choose to re-elect Mr. Weah for a second term, then so be it. However, if he loses, he must accept the will of the people. That’s democracy”.

At the same time, former Minister Dukuly is calling on the Liberian media, civil society groups, political leaders, and the religious and international communities to join the campaign for a free, fair, and credible election. He noted, “Everyone must work in unison making sure that the NEC does its work with honesty”. He said the people must speak out and compel the NEC in performing it statutory duties.

MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission (NEC) has pledged to make the Final Voter Roll (FRR) available to political parties and stakeholders involved in the election process before the end of the week, specifically by Friday, September 29, 2023.

By Henry Karmo Email: henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

This commitment follows a gathering of Montserrado County residents and supporters of the opposition Unity Party at the NEC headquarters. They demanded that the NEC promptly provide the FRR.

In recent days, Senator Dillon of Montserrado County has been at the forefront of advocating for the NEC to release the FRR to parties and stakeholders. He has voiced concerns that any delays by the NEC in providing the FRR might suggest irregularities or ulterior motives.

In one of his social media posts, Senator Dillon stated, “On August 29, 2023, the Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC) appeared before the Senate regarding the upcoming October 10 Presidential and Legislative elections. This video showcases my direct interactions with the Board.”

He continued, “During the NEC Commissioners’ appearance, the Senate was informed that the Final Voter’s Roll would have been published on September 18. However, that date has passed, and there has been no publication of the Final Voter’s Roll, with no updated information from the NEC.”

Senator Dillon added, “I want to reiterate that if the NEC fails to comply by the close of business today, Thursday, September 21, we will gather at the National Headquarters of NEC tomorrow, Friday, September 22, at 9 AM, to demand the publication of the FVR and to inquire about other election-related matters, including whether the Ministry of Finance has settled the remaining funding for the elections. We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the credible conduct and outcome of the elections in the interest of peace and stability.”

In response to these concerns, NEC Chairperson Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansannah announced that the NEC had launched the voter check platform vc.necliberia.org on August 11, 2023. This platform allows registered voters to check their personal voter information by entering their voter ID number and year of birth on the National Election Commission’s website.

Madam Browne-Lansannah assured the public that, as in past elections, the NEC would provide electronic copies of the final registration roll (FRR) to political parties, independent candidates, and stakeholders. She stated, “The technical team is working to secure the biometric roll, which will be made available to everyone as soon as possible. Our technical staff is working around the clock in three shifts to ensure that the FRR is printed and posted at all polling places across the country before election day.”

LAST WEEK, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced the completion of a tender evaluation and submission to the Public Procurement Concession Commission for approval of contract for biometric registration for the 2023 elections

THIS PROGRESSIVE thought on the part of the NEC is commendable but premature to be executive for the 2023 elections.

BIOMETRIC VOTER registration implicates using biometric technology (capturing unique physical features of an individual – fingerprinting is the most commonly used), most of the time in addition to demographics of the voter, for polling registration and/or authentication.

FPA HAS learned that no personnel of the NEC currently have prior requisite experience and technical skills in biometric registration. Additionally, the composition of the evaluation committee to make a determination on the technical proposal submitted by prospective vendors lack the technical skills and experience for such a task.

STARTING THIS new process just a year before the general and presidential elections brings to memory the several issues raised with the 2017’s Final Registration Roll, in which after the election, the NEC was mandated by the Supreme Court to ensure a full clean of the Final Registration Roll (FRR).

THE IRREGULARITIES identified in the FRR (missing voter details, wrong polling places, etc) were a result of procurement decisions that occurred many months earlier, FrontPageAfrica gathered.

FOR THAT ELECTION, the government failed to provide the funding within ample, therefore, the procurement for voter registration began late and as a result of the strict timeline to vendors for delivery of registration materials, companies with requisite experience and capacity did not tender due to limited time line. Hence, the OMR forms procured for registration were faulty and did not meet the required specifications.

THIS, FRONTPAGEAFRICA gathered, led to a messy FRR with missing voter details.

Given the complexity of BVR, and the time, effort, and money needed to maintain Biometric Voter Roll (BVR), many electoral agencies struggle to implement BVR on their own. They often require external partners, or private companies, that can assist in effecting the new process seamlessly. Such partners can provide greater capacity, as well as expertise, to the on-the-ground technicalities of biometric voter registration. 

HOWEVER, this often raises new concerns for citizens. Namely, the protection of voter data when trusted with a private vendor. Many rightfully want to know what will happen with the personal information and biometric data they provide. Thus, while still cooperating with the contracted partner, the electoral agency must consider how best to protect public interest, as well as gain support from citizens. 

IN THIS WAY, even with external partners to ease the BVR process, standing agencies like the NEC would still be responsible to oversee it. Otherwise, if aspects of the partnership appear or are neglected, for instance, if data is not stored or secured properly, the public may lose faith in the process as a whole. It is important to protect the same voter trust that BVR aims to strengthen. 

THIS IS WHY it is highly imperative that the National Elections Commission begin the BVR on a pilot note, get it tested until results are fully satisfied before applying it to any elections in Liberia lest to the 2023 general and presidential elections. APPLYING AN untested system like the Biometric Voter Roll to a major election like the 2023 elections could be a recipe for chaos. We will therefore call on the NEC to reconsider the application of the BVR to the 2023 general and presidential elections given that 12 months is too less time for the application of such, especially for a first-time country like Liberia.

LAST WEEK, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced the completion of a tender evaluation and submission to the Public Procurement Concession Commission for approval of contract for biometric registration for the 2023 elections

THIS PROGRESSIVE thought on the part of the NEC is commendable but premature to be executive for the 2023 elections.

BIOMETRIC VOTER registration implicates using biometric technology (capturing unique physical features of an individual – fingerprinting is the most commonly used), most of the time in addition to demographics of the voter, for polling registration and/or authentication.

FPA HAS learned that no personnel of the NEC currently have prior requisite experience and technical skills in biometric registration. Additionally, the composition of the evaluation committee to make a determination on the technical proposal submitted by prospective vendors lack the technical skills and experience for such a task.

STARTING THIS new process just a year before the general and presidential elections brings to memory the several issues raised with the 2017’s Final Registration Roll, in which after the election, the NEC was mandated by the Supreme Court to ensure a full clean of the Final Registration Roll (FRR).

THE IRREGULARITIES identified in the FRR (missing voter details, wrong polling places, etc) were a result of procurement decisions that occurred many months earlier, FrontPageAfrica gathered.

FOR THAT ELECTION, the government failed to provide the funding within ample, therefore, the procurement for voter registration began late and as a result of the strict timeline to vendors for delivery of registration materials, companies with requisite experience and capacity did not tender due to limited time line. Hence, the OMR forms procured for registration were faulty and did not meet the required specifications.

THIS, FRONTPAGEAFRICA gathered, led to a messy FRR with missing voter details.

Given the complexity of BVR, and the time, effort, and money needed to maintain Biometric Voter Roll (BVR), many electoral agencies struggle to implement BVR on their own. They often require external partners, or private companies, that can assist in effecting the new process seamlessly. Such partners can provide greater capacity, as well as expertise, to the on-the-ground technicalities of biometric voter registration. 

HOWEVER, this often raises new concerns for citizens. Namely, the protection of voter data when trusted with a private vendor. Many rightfully want to know what will happen with the personal information and biometric data they provide. Thus, while still cooperating with the contracted partner, the electoral agency must consider how best to protect public interest, as well as gain support from citizens. 

IN THIS WAY, even with external partners to ease the BVR process, standing agencies like the NEC would still be responsible to oversee it. Otherwise, if aspects of the partnership appear or are neglected, for instance, if data is not stored or secured properly, the public may lose faith in the process as a whole. It is important to protect the same voter trust that BVR aims to strengthen. 

THIS IS WHY it is highly imperative that the National Elections Commission begin the BVR on a pilot note, get it tested until results are fully satisfied before applying it to any elections in Liberia lest to the 2023 general and presidential elections. APPLYING AN untested system like the Biometric Voter Roll to a major election like the 2023 elections could be a recipe for chaos. We will therefore call on the NEC to reconsider the application of the BVR to the 2023 general and presidential elections given that 12 months is too less time for the application of such, especially for a first-time country like Liberia.

LAST WEEK, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced the completion of a tender evaluation and submission to the Public Procurement Concession Commission for approval of contract for biometric registration for the 2023 elections

THIS PROGRESSIVE thought on the part of the NEC is commendable but premature to be executive for the 2023 elections.

BIOMETRIC VOTER registration implicates using biometric technology (capturing unique physical features of an individual – fingerprinting is the most commonly used), most of the time in addition to demographics of the voter, for polling registration and/or authentication.

FPA HAS learned that no personnel of the NEC currently have prior requisite experience and technical skills in biometric registration. Additionally, the composition of the evaluation committee to make a determination on the technical proposal submitted by prospective vendors lack the technical skills and experience for such a task.

STARTING THIS new process just a year before the general and presidential elections brings to memory the several issues raised with the 2017’s Final Registration Roll, in which after the election, the NEC was mandated by the Supreme Court to ensure a full clean of the Final Registration Roll (FRR).

THE IRREGULARITIES identified in the FRR (missing voter details, wrong polling places, etc) were a result of procurement decisions that occurred many months earlier, FrontPageAfrica gathered.

FOR THAT ELECTION, the government failed to provide the funding within ample, therefore, the procurement for voter registration began late and as a result of the strict timeline to vendors for delivery of registration materials, companies with requisite experience and capacity did not tender due to limited time line. Hence, the OMR forms procured for registration were faulty and did not meet the required specifications.

THIS, FRONTPAGEAFRICA gathered, led to a messy FRR with missing voter details.

Given the complexity of BVR, and the time, effort, and money needed to maintain Biometric Voter Roll (BVR), many electoral agencies struggle to implement BVR on their own. They often require external partners, or private companies, that can assist in effecting the new process seamlessly. Such partners can provide greater capacity, as well as expertise, to the on-the-ground technicalities of biometric voter registration. 

HOWEVER, this often raises new concerns for citizens. Namely, the protection of voter data when trusted with a private vendor. Many rightfully want to know what will happen with the personal information and biometric data they provide. Thus, while still cooperating with the contracted partner, the electoral agency must consider how best to protect public interest, as well as gain support from citizens. 

IN THIS WAY, even with external partners to ease the BVR process, standing agencies like the NEC would still be responsible to oversee it. Otherwise, if aspects of the partnership appear or are neglected, for instance, if data is not stored or secured properly, the public may lose faith in the process as a whole. It is important to protect the same voter trust that BVR aims to strengthen. 

THIS IS WHY it is highly imperative that the National Elections Commission begin the BVR on a pilot note, get it tested until results are fully satisfied before applying it to any elections in Liberia lest to the 2023 general and presidential elections. APPLYING AN untested system like the Biometric Voter Roll to a major election like the 2023 elections could be a recipe for chaos. We will therefore call on the NEC to reconsider the application of the BVR to the 2023 general and presidential elections given that 12 months is too less time for the application of such, especially for a first-time country like Liberia.