Monrovia—The General Workforce of the National Elections Commission (NEC) has issued a formal call for the immediate suspension of NEC chairperson Davidetta Brown Lanssana and the Commission’s Executive Director, pending an audit into financial mismanagement and potential corruption.

By: Edwin G. Genoway,Jr, edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.com

The move comes after mounting concerns regarding unpaid benefits, lack of transparency, and troubling financial practices within the Commission.

A resolution dated October 30, 2024, and updated on November 10, 2024, lays out the workforce’s demand for government intervention to address what they describe as a deteriorating situation at the NEC.

Workers have reported four months of unpaid hazard allowances, as well as outstanding annual medical insurance benefits, despite the government’s approval of a budget for the Commission.

However, funds have been delayed, and only a fraction of the allocated budget has been released, exacerbating the financial strain on the organization.

In response to these grievances, the NEC workforce convened on October 29, 2024, where they formed a committee, led by Mr. Rennie Boakai Gleegbar, with Magistrate Luther Dean of Bomi County as co-chair, to engage with the Board of Commissioners (BOC) and address their concerns. 

The committee was tasked with ensuring the Commission complies with legal standards and maintains a focus on staff welfare.

A key issue raised by the workers is financial mismanagement within the NEC, specifically around the handling of funds and procurement activities. 

The workforce’s resolution points to a troubling revelation made by the NEC chairperson herself, indicating an excess of $8 million in funds that was not disclosed to the other Board members. 

Additionally, workers allege that the chairperson transferred significant funds—over $4 million—from the Commission’s accounts to the Ministry of Finance without consulting the Board, leaving only $2 million for ongoing operations.

These financial irregularities have fueled concerns about the Commission’s ability to function effectively, particularly as it prepares for future elections. 

The workforce is calling for an independent audit of the NEC’s financial practices to determine the extent of mismanagement and corruption.

The resolution also highlights the Commission’s overall operational challenges, such as poor working conditions at both the NEC headquarters and regional offices. Staff members have reported inadequate sanitation facilities, a lack of basic amenities, and dysfunctional office spaces, which have significantly hindered their ability to perform their duties effectively.

Furthermore, the workers demand the immediate disbursement of long-overdue hazard allowances and insurance benefits, some of which are owed to staff members who risked their lives during the 2023 election period. 

The NEC’s workforce is also calling for emergency funding to address urgent operational needs, including the procurement of fuel, maintenance of staff transportation, and the upkeep of NEC offices.

The workforce’s resolution points to what they describe as a culture of secrecy and intimidation within the NEC, and they are calling for a shift toward greater transparency and accountability. 

They have emphasized the need for a governance structure that prioritizes fairness and the well-being of staff members, rather than one that fosters an atmosphere of fear and dysfunction.

The workers are urging President Joseph Nyema Boakai to intervene directly to ensure that the long-delayed payments are made and that the Commission is able to operate effectively. 

However, the government has not yet issued an official response to the demands put forth by the NEC’s workforce.