Monrovia – Liberian civil servants looking to contest the upcoming presidential and legislative elections have been asked to take a leave of absence without pay.According to the Civil Service Agency, the leave should begin at the start of Campaign which kicks off on Monday July 31.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, [email protected]
In a statement, the CSA noted: “A civil servant who is certified by the National Elections commission and is a bona fide candidate will be required to take a leave of absence without pay during his/her campaign period which official list of certified candidates by the National Elections Commission.
“This period of campaigning will be when the election results are published.”
The Agency said its guidelines are in consistent with section 40 of the Civil service human resource policy manual.
The candidate, if unsuccessful may return to original position held as a civil servant prior to election campaign.
The CSA says this is also in consistent with Section 3.4.8 of the standing orders for the civil service which states:
“If the employee does not return to work within 14 days after the publication of the elections results, the regulation stated in section 3.4.16 (unauthorized absence) shall apply, that is the absence would be considered by the Ministry/ Agency head as a resignation.
The CSA added that all unsuccessful candidates wishing to return to the position as stated should make a written request to the agency head and send a copy to the Director of CSA immediately following the publication of the elections results, which is when the days of absence will begin to be counted.
The regulation accordingly, is intended to protect the tenure of service of classified civil servants.
Accordingly, the regulation takes effect as soon as the Elections commission publishes the list of candidates for presidential and Legislative elections.
Meanwhile presidential appointees are ordered to take permission for leave or external travel.
The Civil Service says if the leave is for campaigning as a candidate, it will be considered as leave of absence and without pay.
Reinstatement of presidential appointees accordingly, will only be done directly by the President.
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