Monrovia – The National Campaign Manager of the ruling Unity Party (UP), Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has told opposition members and even some from his own party, who are spreading falsehood that he is no longer in charge of the campaign that they are “boldface liars” and that he remains the National Campaign Manager, who will ensure victory for UP on November 7.

 On this date, Liberians head to the polls to elect the standard and vice standard bearers from either UP or the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), which go to the runoff.

 One set of these two candidates—Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Hosue Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay on one hand while Senators George Manneh Weah and Jewel Howard-Taylor on another—will be elected if the runoff election is allowed to go ahead by the Supreme Court. The highest court of the land is now looking in election complains filed in by the Liberty Party (LP) headed by Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine.

 Addressing newsmen’s concerns on the present political situations and internal party politics Friday, October 27, UP Campaign Manager Ngafuan told journalists, who had bumped into him around the home of his standard bearer, that he has been busied preparing and implementing strategies that will ensure his party win the runoff.

 “We have been busied preparing and implementing our second round strategies and have got no time to follow rumors and some boldface lies. Look, I still serve as the Campaign Manager of the Unity Party Campaign Team.”

“I have pushed for beefing up of the campaign teams across the country as you know during the first round some of our strong supporters and partisans including Representative-elect Edwin Snowe, were all focused on their respective legislative races. Now that all of them have been freed up, they have been incorporated to beef up the mobilization and outreach under my direction and supervision,” Ngaf, as he is affectionately called by his peers, stated.

 He further stated that the lies have been told in an attempt to cause disunity; adding: “We have no disunity here; we are working together; and implementing strategies that will definitely bring victory.”

 Rumors have it that following the first round of the Presidential and Legislative Elections in which the UP came as first runner up to CDC, Mr. Ngafuan was removed as head of the party’s campaign team, nationally and was replaced with Mr. Snowe, who some referred to as “talk and do.”

 Up to when Mr. Ngafuan, who formerly served as Foreign Minister of the country, addressed the concerns of journalists, UP had not issued any official press statement on the removal of their campaign manager and appointing another partisan.

 Ngafuan further said that he and Mr. Snowe interact daily on a lot of things; adding, “That rumor that has been around for a while now has no truth and it is meant to create a sense of division, which does not exist. We are united as a team!”

 Also responding to news about vote-rich Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s endorsement of Mr. Weah’s runoff bid, he stated emphatically that their strategy to win the runoff election in Nimba remains intact and that Sen. Johnson is who he is.

 “We are going to win Nimba and we are going to do it in a very big way,” he stressed.

 Giving historical accounts as it relates to Nimba and the UP, he stated that his standard bearer has a long relationship with the county.

 VP Boakai more than two decades ago did some works in Nimba through the Nimba County Agricultural Development Project (NCADP), when he headed the Liberia Produce and Marketing Corporation (LPMC).

 “In 2005 in the runoff, Sen. Johnson was not with the UP, he supported the CDC in the runoff and our support in Nimba triple. We won hugely. We respect his decisions as we respect our partisans— chiefs, elders, etc, who, too, have decided to still vote for us in the runoff.”

 Also touching on the party’s runoff strategy, the former Foreign Minister stated that unlike some of what were done in the first round, this time, they are not creating any “hype around things.” According to him, their foot soldiers, are now in the field moving from door to door. “You may not see big rallies, but you are going to see big results.”

 He disclosed that because of the effective implementation of their new strategy, Liberians were gravitating towards UP in their droves.

 “They are not coming because of UP but because they love Liberia and want us to remain on this path that will be progressive.”

 Mr. Ngafuan also used the occasion to buttress what his standard bearer had said few days ago when he (VP Boakai) called on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to clean up the final voters roll before the runoff election is held. 

 “Obviously, there were many problems at the polls. Many persons showed up and their names weren’t on the voters roll and they had to do an addendum list. We want that voters roll to be cleaned up before any runoff election. We don’t want that confusion that technically disenfranchised many of our people to reoccur in the second round.”

 He stated that if it’s not fixed, it could injure the integrity of the process as was seen following the first round.

 He disclosed that his party’s national executive committee is seriously engaging with authorities of NEC. He further divulged that their legal team is also reviewing results of the first round of the elections and that at the end of the day, the legal team would advise appropriately.

 He used the occasion to call on all UP partisans to remain focused and that everything is on course for the party to win the runoff.

Monrovia – In the wake of the Presidential runoff, slated for November 7, Liberia’s ruling Unity Party (UP) said its campaign activities have taken a trend that needs the support of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Report by Willie N. Tokpah – willie.tokpah@frontpageafricaonline.com

“I have a good relationship with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, I have and good relationship with Vice President Joseph Boakai.

“As far I am concerned, I don’t see a rift between the two of them; they have a nation to protect and we need support from everyone including her. Our campaign is going forward; it will not be disturbed or distracted” – Rep. Edwin Melvin Snowe, UP Campaign Mobilization Chairman

Unity Party Campaign Mobilization Chairman for the runoff election, Representative Edwin Melvin Snowe, said in this round of the election all hands, including that of the party’s former Standard Bearer, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, are needed on deck in order to win the election for the party.

“I have a good relationship with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, I have and good relationship with Vice President Joseph Boakai. As far I am concerned, I don’t see a rift between the two of them; they have a nation to protect and we need support from everyone including her. Our campaign is going forward; it will not be disturbed or distracted,” Snowe said.

On the Truth FM Breakfast Show, recently, Rep. Snowe noted that many deceptions from some former members of the party have made campaigning a challenge.

According to him, it is regrettable that many attacks are being thrown at the VP for mistakes made by some of the very ‘escapees’ who are singing praises to opposition political parties’ leaders.

“I feel sorry for Amb. Boakai, he is like Jesus Christ right now. He’s being prosecuted right now for sins he did not commit,” Snowe stated.

However, he disclosed that a new strategy has been developed to overcome some of the negative propagandas against his team in ensuring that their political leader, Boakai, wins the presidency.

Instead of previous strategy used in the first round of the Presidential and Legislative Elections, Mr. Snowe, who is Representative-elect in Bomi County District 1, stated that their new campaign strategy is now community-based and inclusive.

“During the first round, some very strong groups of this party felt left out due to the different strategy put into place but we are now bringing everyone on board,” he added.

Snowe feared that some politicians are using political tactics to trick Liberians for their votes. He expressed confidence in Liberians’ ability to make a good political decision.

“You can fool some of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.

“This time around, the Liberian people will not be fooled. They will stand up, and they will fight for what is good for their country by making a good decision on November 7.”

According to Snowe, CDC political leader, Senator George Weah, is still in the learning curve of becoming Liberia’s next leader and should be content with his present senatorial status.

“Senator Weah is my friend; I supported him as Senator and believe that he’s still going through a learning curve in the Liberian Senate. He should remain Senator for this county and at the appropriate time, he will see the writings on the wall,” Snowe advised.

The UP Campaign Mobilization Chair stated that some “agents” are using Weah as a path to the Liberian presidency because those individuals have deficiencies in getting the country’s highest seat.

Snowe termed the opposition’s move as “big deception.”

He further stated that it is shameful for some Liberians who were involved in the passage of the national budget for several years and with some still involved in decision making, to be calling for a change.

“Go on the CDC platform today; look at the day CDC launched its campaign, who was one of those on top of the car. You just need to join the party and two days later you become an executive member, those were the people who have us where we are today,” Snowe stated.

At the same time, the Rep-elect of Bomi County District one believes, there would be shut down in international aid if wrong actors are given leverage to government.

In another development, he frowned at Education Minister George Warner for attacking VP Boakai on Facebook, something he said does not represent education.

“That is the Minister of Education; this man is an embarrassment to this country. He’s the Minister of Education of this country and wants our children to read such a post?”

Bomi County – The man whom many citizens of Bomi refer to as the political “talk and do” Godfather (Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr.) appears to be gradually falling out too early with the people of Sinje District Bomi County due to recent comments he made at the campaign rally of the ruling Unity Party in Tubmanburg Bomi County.

A well-attended political rally which began with a parade throughout Tubmanburg City and climaxed at the CH Dewein High School Football Field saw the Bomi Representative hopeful of district one calling on citizens of the district and County  at large to vote Joseph Boakai as Liberia’s next President.

In a harsher tune Snowe is quoted as saying “If you want me to be your Representative but you don’t want to vote my uncle Joseph Boakai then keep your vote”. 

He further threatened to fail the people of District one Bomi County if they refused to listen to him. 

Snowe who did not mention which Presidential candidate he was referring to added that he can’t be a Lawmaker of Bomi County and work with in his words, “I want work President”, he added. 

He said the time for Bomi is now and the people of district one Bomi County including other residents of the entire County should take advantage of this opportunity and vote Joseph Boakai as their President and J. Emmanuel Nuquay as their Vice President because according to him the two individuals have links and are deeply connected to the County. 

The current District #6 Representative of Montserrado County statement is generating mixed views amongst the people in Bomi County with some condemning his call to force them to vote for someone they noted has not impacted their lives. 

John Sando for example said Bomi is not Liberia alone, “so even if we vote Ambassador Boakai and only Bomi is developed what becomes of the rest of the Country?” 

As for Bendu Varney she termed his statement as politically restricting and intended to prove more loyalty to VP Boakai at their detriment but she added that they  will not this time around be moved by said statement. 

She continues by saying, “he is not yet our Representative and he is making such statement, what if he becomes our Lawmaker what will happen?

I think we need to open our eyes now that we have not voted yet, she indicated. 

On the other hand, some citizens defended that Mr. Snowe spoke in context and meant well for the County. 

Snowe since his entry into the body politics of Bomi has been hailed by the people for creating jobs, empowering women and providing scholarships for students including making good his promises as he is popularly known as: Talk and do Politician, but with his recent statement, the people are now beginning to read between the lines about whether he is a wolf in sheep clothing politician, or if he really means well and will deliver his promises to them. 

The former House Speaker according to reports has been in the center of several controversies ranging from his exit as Speaker of the House of Representatives in which he then accused President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of supporting other lawmakers financially to kick him out of the position, the late Willie Knuckles pornographic episode, the nicked saga at the bachelor night of journalist Patrick Honnah and many others. 

Snowe of late admitted to his people in district six Montserrado County that he has failed them and subsequently invested hugely in Bomi County, evident by a palm farm which has thus far created jobs for the people, including the establishment of a radio station, Pumas Fm and a Television station soon in the making and many more. 

The controversial Lawmaker is on record for leading a campaign to unseat former House Speaker J. Alex Tyler also of Bomi County and brags that his mission then was a successful one. 

He recently won a domicile case at the Supreme Court which now permits him to be a sitting Lawmaker of Montserrado County and still contest in Bomi County district one, though the ruling by the Court was greeted with mixed reactions.

Snowe is an executive of the ruling Unity Party and a key member of the UP campaign team as some political pundits are saying his statement is not a surprise but a disservice to the people of Bomi County, adding in the Liberian man saying: he just started showing small of his colors meaning small of his political bad ways. 

Julius Konton, Contributor

Monrovia – Representative Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr. burst out in tears when the Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia in their judgment upheld the decision of the National Elections Commission (NEC) which allowed him to contest in Bomi County District-1 in the upcoming elections, despite being the sitting representative in Montserrado County District 6.

Report by Bettie Johnson-Mbayo, bettie.mbayo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Rep. Snowe was dragged to the Supreme Court after three failed attempts to stop him from contesting in a protest at the NEC.

The complaints were filed by Senator Sando Johnson (Bomi-NPP) and Representative Samuel Garyah Karmo (Bomi, District 1) who took an appeal to the Supreme Court after the NEC Board of Commissioner certificated Snowe to participate in the pending election.

Prior to the board of commissioners’ decision to allow Rep. Snowe to contest in the upcoming election, he was denied participation by the hearing officer at the NEC on grounds that he did not meet the domicile requirement. That ruling was overturned by the Board of Commissioners.

Further contending that Snowe did not meet the domicile requirement as stated in the Section 5.7 of the National Elections Commission Regulations and Guidelines, the lawmakers took an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Handing down their opinion on the dispute between the lawmakers, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor opined that one does not have to be domiciled in a constituency/district in order to register and vote in that constituency/ district; rather be a resident in the constituency register and vote therein.

He said it makes no difference whether the person is a sitting representative of a constituency/district in a different county while serving as representative of the constituency in the county he was elected.

“That there is no law that forbids a sitting representative of a constituency/district in one county from changing his/her domicile to another constituency/district in another county while still serving as a representative of the constituency in the county he was elected,” Justice Korkpor averred.

He said the Court has no authority to extrapolate the intent of the framers of the Constitution beyond the plain and specific wordings of the provisions of the Constitution.

“Therefore, where a constitutional provision, on its face, is so plain and unambiguous, it needs no further interpretation, in our view, had the framers of Article 30(b) of the Constitution intended for elected legislators to continuously remain domiciled in the county or constituency to be represented not less than one year prior to the time of election and during the entire tenure in the Legislature without changing their domicile, the Constitution would have so stated,” he opined.

Justice Korkpor said the court hold that “what the constitution does not expressly provide for cannot be urged upon this court to consider, as doing so would amount to lawmaking, a function solely ascribed to the Legislative Branch of Government.”

He added that the electoral districts are created by law and the current demarcation which provides 73 electoral districts was done through a joint resolution of the Legislature, approved by the President of Liberia published and not created whenever a sitting legislator decides to register, vie or contest for an elective post in a constituency other than the one he/ she represents.

“That the rulings of the board of commissioners of the NEC dismissing the objections filed by the appellants, Rep. Karmo, and Johnson to the registration, nomination, and certification of the appellee, honorable Edwin Snowe is hereby affirmed,” Korkpor noted.

Of the five justices three signed the opinion while the wife of Snowe Justice Sie-A- Nyene Yuoh recused herself from the case and Justice Kabineh Ja’neh was out of the country.

Rep. Snowe refused to talk to journalists after the ruling, but one of his adversaries, Senator Johnson told FrontPageAfrica that he respects the rule of law and accepted the ruling even though he does not agree with it.

“This Supreme Court cannot be like the Supreme Court we see in other places; this Supreme Court is a compromised Supreme Court so we accept it as it is. And this is the worst Supreme Court we’ve ever had in the history of our country,” he said.

Monrovia – The Supreme Court will on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 entertain an appeal hearing against   Edwin Snowe’s bid for the representative seat of Bomi County District #1.

Report by Kennedy L. Yangian klyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com

The Supreme Court has named parties to the hearing as Senator Sando Johnson, Senator of Bomi County and Representative Gayah Karmo appellants (petitioner) versus the Unity Party (UP) represented by its national Chairman, all officers and Representative Edwin Snowe appellee growing out of the case appeal of objection.

Snowe who is currently a representative for Montserrado County District #6 had agreed to contest the Bomi County District #1 seat after been petitioned by citizens of that county.

Though, citizens of that part of the county claimed that Snowe was not from the county yet he was their best choice for the legislative seat because of the level of developments he had done in that part of the county.

But two lawmakers of the county Senator Sando Johnson and Representative Gayah Karmo of Bomi District #1 have called on the National Election Commission (NEC) to reject Representative Snowe’s desire because he does not reside in the county.

The two lawmakers also claimed that it was a violation of the new election laws that one who wants to contest a representative seat of a district must have resided there for a period of one year which Snowe has not allegedly done.

During the hearing of the petition by the hearing officer of the National Election Commission (NEC) in Bomi County, Representative Snowe was rejected to contest for the Bomi Legislative seat on ground that he does not reside in the district.

“Representative Snowe as a sitting representative in Montserrado County with legal entitlements and a domiciled member of Montserrado County District sixth was not eligible to register in Bomi County and it is against the election laws for a sitting representative seated until 2018 to contest in another district” the objectors argued.

Contrary to the claim Snowe told the hearing officer that he had resided in the county for the last three years, and had made a lot of investments through a farm he owns in the county.

Representative Snowe later oposed the ruling and filed an appeal to the Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC).

In the board’s ruling Representative Snowe was cleared on ground that the objectors failed to provide counter witnesses to Representative Snowe’s claim that he has domiciled in the district for nearly three years.

“The objectors’ objection to have Representative Snowe rejected for the Bomi County District #1 seat is hereby denied and dismissed because they have failed to provide counter witnesses to Snowe’s claim that he has domiciled in the district for nearly three years” said the board of commissioners.

In the wake of the NEC Board of Commissioners ruling the objectors, Senator Johnson and Representative Karmo opposed the board ruling and announced an appeal to the Supreme Court.

 It is not clear whether Wednesday’ appeal hearing by the Supreme Court a final arbiter of justice to be followed by a ruling will bring an end to the controversy, which has left citizens of the county and their lawmakers divided as the lawmakers have vowed and maintained that they will not allowed Representative Snowe contest the seat of the county because he is not a citizen of the county.

Monrovia – The Board of Commissioners of Liberia’s National Elections Commission today denied an appeal from Rep. Samuel Karmo (Unity Party, District #1, Bomi County) against Rep. Edwin Snowe of Montserrado County Electoral District #6.

Report by Henry Karmo – henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Rep. Snowe is making an unprecedented bid to leave his current district of representation in Montserrado County for a play in the district Rep. Karmo has represented for the past six years.

Following the ruling, lawyers representing Rep. Karmo took exception to the decision and immediately pledged to mount an appeal for the second time, this time to the supreme Court, which is currently embroiled in a major impeachment push against three of its justices.

Commissioner Sarah Toe ruled: “In view of the foregoing, the appeal is denied and dismissed.

This is the second time in as many weeks that Rep. Karmo has been dealt a major blow in his quest to prevent Rep. Snowe from crossing over representation.

The Board of commissioner’s overturned an earlier decision by NEC hearing officer in the Edwin Snowe vs Sando Johnson case.

The NEC hearing officer on July 23rd ruled against Rep. Snowe but this decision has been overturned in less than 3 weeks.

The ruling described Johnson’s appeal as premature in that he filed 19 days before the elections commission published it’s provisional listing that had Rep. Snowe’s name as a qualified candidate on the ruling Unity Party ticket.

The ruling described Johnson appeal as premature in that he filed in on the 19 of July days before the NEC published it’s provisional listing that had snowe name a qualified candidate on the UP ticket

Rep. Karmo, on June 15, 2017, filed a complaint to Washington vs Farmah, Senior Magistrate of Bomi, against the alleged ineligibility of Rep. Snowe to register to vote, lest to run, for any public office in the upcoming October polls in Sinjeh, Bomi Electoral District #1, which Karmo currently represents at the Lower House.

In his ruling, Magistrate Farmah said the respondent’s (Snowe) counsel filed a motion to dismiss the complaint contending that the ground cited in the complaint is not a ground for objection, and also that Rep, Karmo has not alleged any violation of elections law, and therefore the complaint must be dismissed.

Last week, NEC has rejected Rep. Snowe’s bid to contest from Bomi County District #1 in the October 10, 2017 elections.

In its ruling, NEC charged that Rep. Snowe cannot be domiciled for two districts, for this, he cannot be allowed to contest in another county while being a sitting lawmaker for another.

The ruling affirmed that Mr. Snowe’saffidavit disclosed that he is a resident and a sitting Lawmaker of Montserrado County District #6 who holds a certificate as a Representative of Montserrado County District #6.

The domicile issue regarding Rep. Snowe is just one of many cases bound for the high court that is under threat amid impeachment proceedings against three Supreme Court Associate Justices which has serious implications on the upcoming presidential and legislative elections.

Monrovia – Representative Edwin Melvin Snowe has condemned a petition for the impeachment of three justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia.

Report by Henry Karmo – henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

The petition was filed before the leadership of the legislature by five lawmakers.

In a brief statement, Rep. Snowe described the attempt by the lawmakers as overreaching and undermining the country’s democracy.

Rep. Snowe said: “I am therefore calling on them to immediately abolish their action.”

“I am also calling on the National Bar and all others to join me in denouncing their action.

The ECOWAS Parliament is also concern about this development and is calling on members of the legislature to respect the separation of powers.”

Coincidentally, his wife, Associate Justice Sie-A- Nyene Youh also serves on the bench.

Representative Snowe is one of Liberia’s Representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament where he serves on the ways, means and finance committee.

He currently faces uncertainty about whether or not he would be allowed to contest in the October elections.

Snowe’s quest to contest in the October elections is currently being held by complaints filed against him by two members of the Bomi County legislative caucus – both of whom are against his bid to contest for Representative seat in Bomi County.

In separate complaints to the National Election Commission (NEC) Senator Sando Johnson and Representative Garyah Karmo accused Snowe of not meeting the domicile requirement.

The NEC has conducted hearings in the two complaints and is expected to shortly come up with final ruling.

Whatever the result may be, it is expected that the matter could reach to the Supreme Court and with that certainty the last group of people he would want to be seen in crisis with is the Supreme Court who are likely to in the future decide his fate.

Lawmakers wanting the impeachment of the Justices include, Senators, Dan Morais, (NPP- Maryland County), Peter Coleman, (CDC-Grand Kru County), Jim Tornola (PUP-Margibi County), and Representatives Numene Bartekwa, (District #2 River Gee County) and George Mulbah (NPP-District #3 Bong County).

The lawmaker in their petition accused the Justices of the Supreme Court of violating their oaths of office by engaging in misconduct, gross breach of duty and exhibiting clear inability to perform the functions of their offices as Associate Justices.

“Our petition arises out of the most recent decisions of the Supreme Court, in which these three Associates Justices, by their opinions and Judgements in cases involving the code of conduct enacted by the legislature in May 2014.”

The lawmakers in their petition said, the Code of Conduct sought and did effectively usurp the powers and authority of the Legislature to make law and thereby made ineffective and virtually null and void the code of conduct.

“We petition you to cite theses Justices to show cause, if any, why they should not be impeached and removed from their offices as Associate Justices of the Supreme Court.”

“The petition was sent to the Judiciary committee of both houses.”

Senje, Bomi County – At least 27 chiefs and elders in Bomi County have endorsed the bid of Montserrado District 6 Representative, Edwin Snowe to be their representative in the 54th Legislature.

At an elaborate program held to endorse his candidacy, the chiefs under the banner “Stakeholders Council of Senje District” said their decision to support Rep. Snowe is because he is a “son who knows the challenges Senjeh is faced with and a son who listens”.

The endorsement ceremony was held Saturday, July 22, 2017 in the district.

“Considering that has contributed immensely to the economic growth and governance of our nation in the past decades, our yearning for positive transformation, unity, reconciliation and social justice has often been undermined through politics by those who we chose to represent us at the Legislature,” they noted in the endorsement statement.

The Bomi Stakeholders Council noted that the district needs equal representation and decision making opportunity, therefore, they are looking forward to someone who will empower the youth through education and the women through vocational training and business, which they believe will improve the living condition of the people in the district.

“At this point in time, we, the people of Senje, are interested in a leader who will prioritize reconciliation, justice and peace.

“Now, therefore, having assessed the political landscape and extensive consultations, we the stakeholders and eminent citizens of Senjeh have unanimously decided to endorse the incoming representative of Senjeh District Hon. Edwin Melvin Digkay Snowe candidate of our choice in the upcoming October presidential and general elections.

According to the stakeholders of the county, they chose Snowe because he proven to them that he is reliable and humble and will make a good representation of them.

“We need you because you are straight-forward individual. We support you because you have the experience and we consider you to be our best option.  Our endorsement stems from our six years interaction you have with us and scope with the reconciliation and transformation spirit you have displayed to us,” the noted.

Monrovia – The National Elections Commission (NEC) Tuesday failed to conduct hearing on the case involving Representatives Edwin Snowe (UP-District#6 Montserrado County) and Garyah Karmo (UP-District #1, Bomi County) because the Commissioners could not form a quorum.

Report by Henry Karmo – henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

“Sitting Representative Edwin Snowe, hereinabove, having been legally seated as a 73rd member of the Electoral District #6, Montserrado County is the current Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee as well as a delegate of the House to the ECOWAS, receiving all benefits, salaries and legislative entitlements as a registered and domiciled honorable member of the District, Montserrado County,” Representative Karmo said.

Representative Snowe, who is the defendant in the case, told this paper that three of the Commissioners of the NEC did not show up due to illness, and in keeping with the NEC rules on conducting a hearing on election related dispute, there should be five members including the chairman present to have a quorum.

Rep. Snowe said the commissioners including Davidetta Browne Lansanah, Jonathan K. Weedor and Jeanette A. Ebba Davidson were all absent.

“It is working against me as you are aware my name is not on the provisional listing published by the NEC because of this case and my opponents are using it against me by going to the county and informing the people that I am not qualified that is why my name hasn’t been publishing.”

The National Elections Commission of the Republic of Liberia as an autonomous public commission established by the Constitution of Liberia comprises seven members, one of whom is Chairman and another is Co-Chairman, respectively.

The other five members are called commissioners. With the advice and consent of the Senate, they are appointed by the President and serve tenure of Seven (7) years each. The current members of the Commission are

Members of the NEC board include; Jerome George Korkoya (LLB. LLM. JD) Chairman, Sarah Jegede Toe (Cllr) Co-Chairman, Jonathan K. Weedor (MA) Commissioner, Samuel Z. Joe (MA) Commissioner, Jeanette  Ebba Davidson (Cllr) Commissioner Davidetta Browne Lansanah (MA) Commissioner and Boakai Dukuly (MA, Cllr) Commissioner.

Snowe believes in the case involving him and Karmo time is of the essence and given the timeline, if NEC doesn’t rule in the case in a timely manner he might not be qualified to join others to campaign on the day campaigning begins.

The NEC has the power to, upon objections made by any person or group of persons, reject, and if already registered, revoke the certificate of accreditation of said party or independent candidate, subject to appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia. 

In June of 2017 Mr. Washington V. Farmah, Magistrate for the National Elections Commission in Bomi, dismissed the complaint filed by Representative Karmo but the incumbent Bomi lawmaker took an appeal and filed a bill of exception.

After reviewing the submissions made by the parties and listened to the arguments, the magistrate recorded that he observed that the law relied upon by the petitioner, Rep. Karmo, could not be applied to the respondent under the circumstances of the case.

Said the Magistrate, “The respondent cannot be barred from registering to vote outside of his district and at a location where he has established a residence. In view of what I have narrated above, the petitioner’s petition objecting to the registration of respondent at the Weakama Public School is hereby denied and dismissed.”

Rep. Karmo argued that Rep. Snowe’s bid is in violation of provisions provided under Article 37 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, Rep. Snowe has elected for his own selfish gain, to create the additional electoral district.

“Sitting Representative Edwin M. Snowe, hereinabove, having been legally seated as a 73rd member of the Electoral District #6, Montserrado County is the current Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee as well as a delegate of the House to the ECOWAS, receiving all benefits, salaries and legislative entitlements as a registered and domiciled honorable member of the District, Montserrado County,” Representative Karmo said.

Bomi County – the National Elections Commission’s (NEC) Magistrate in Tubmanburg Bomi County, Saturday handed down its final ruling in the case between Representatives Edwin Snowe vs Samuel Garyah Karmo.

Report by Henry Karmo – henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com  

Magistrate Washington Farmah in his ruling dismissed a complaint filed by Representative Karmo against Representative Snowe, but Karmo has taken an appeal and filed a bill of exception.

A bill of exception is a legal pleading filed to complain about appeal about a matter that would not otherwise appear on the record.

It is a statement of objection to the decision, or instructions of a judge in the trial of a dispute.

The Commission in its ruling said, after reviewing the submissions made by the parties and listening to the arguments, it observed that the law relied upon by the petitioner  (Karmo) does not apply to the respondent (Snowe) under the circumstances of the case.

“The respondent can’t be barred from registering to vote outside of his district and at a location where he has established a residence.”

“Wherefore and in view of what I have narrated above, the petitioner’s petition objecting to the registration to Respondent at the Weakama Public school is hereby denied and dismissed,” NEC magistrate said.

Despite losing the case to Rep. Snowe, Rep. Karmo told  FrontPageAfrica in an interview over the weekend that he believes the case is far from being over as there is still a second phase to come.

Rep. Snowe said: “I knew that I wasn’t in violation of the law and I am happy that the NEC has come down with its ruling I am happy that there will be phase two, and as we go further I know that the hidden hands will come out but we will be prepared also.”

He claimed that Karmo wasn’t acting alone and that the case was only intended to confuse people of Bomi County that he is not legible to contest in the county.

“As I go to register the other hands will now come to challenge my domicile and at that time my lawyers will also come to prove that I am domicile in Senjeh,” Snowe added.

When asked what’s next for him? Karmo in an angry mood said; “No, no, no sub-judiciary I don’t talk I took appeal as he snubbed our microphone.”

In Garyah’s complaint, he claimed that it was a violation of the Fixed Threshold Act, for Snowe as a sitting representative in Montserrado County District number six to register in Bomi County. 

During the hearing, the respondent’s legal counsel represented by former Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh filed a motion to dismiss the complaint contending that the ground cited in the complaint is not a ground for objection and also that the petitioner has not violated any election law and therefore the complaint must be dismissed.

Contrary to the respondent’s appeal for the motion to be denied magistrate Washington Farmah heard arguments on the motion and denied it, maintaining that in election contestation, the petitioner must be accorded a clear opportunity to prove what they allege.

Mr. Karmo represented himself during the hearing.

He presented to the Magistrate two witnesses and after their qualification provided testimonies. Kumba Karmo and Ernest Kamara took the stand and provided testimonies that they saw the photo of Snowe displayed as a registered voter in Bomi County during the voter exhibition process.

According to the NEC Magistrate, the respondent’s only witness is himself, Edwin Snowe who testified that he is a Liberian citizen above the age 18 and has the right to register and vote; and confirmed that he had registered at the Weakama Public School only and no other center as it is alleged by Karmo.