-As five temporary staff sent to court for electoral malpractice
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson
The National Elections Commission (NEC) through its chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, during the daily media briefing informed Liberians and stakeholders that the Board of Commissioners has instructed the Secretariat of the Commission to plan a re-run of the Presidential, Senatorial, and
Representative Elections at two polling places in precinct BeoLontuo, in Electoral
District 4 in Nimba County, on Friday, October 20, 2023.
It can be recalled that the NEC reported that following the closure of the polls on October 10, 2023, at precinct BeoLontuo, some individuals made away with
some of the ballot boxes and later destroyed the contents. This, she said prompted the need for a re-run of the elections at the two polling places in precinct BeoLontuo, District four, Nimba County.
Meanwhile, the Commission urged all stakeholders including political
parties, coalitions, alliances, candidates, party and candidates’ agents, observers, and as well as the voters of the two polling places in precinct BeoLontuo, Electoral District 4, Nimba County to participate in the
re-run elections on October 20, 2023, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
In furtherance, Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansannah disclosed the arrest, investigation and dentation of five temporary elections staffs allegedly involved with elections malpractices.
She says the five individuals are currently in police custody ongoing investigation and awaiting trial at a competent court of jurisdiction.
Madam Brown-Lansannah further pointed out that the over eight electoral staff who were allegedly engaged in electoral malpractices are from Grand Cape and lower Montserrado County.
“Those involved Presiding officer engaged into alleged electoral malpractices from Grand Cape Mount as reported by the magisterial office includes, Philip A. Zouduya, district electoral coordinator, district #1, Patience Mongro, Presiding Officer polling places one code 12035. Mohammed Kaymot, Presiding officer, polling place two, Waydo Public School, 12035 and Munah Passway, Presiding officer polling place four.”
According to the NEC boss, following the turnover to the Liberian National Police, Grand Cape Mount County detachment, by the Elections Magistrate on Sunday, 13 October, 2023, the individuals were incasurated pending LNP investigation and awaiting for a court of competence jurisdiction.
She said that according to the LNP detachment of Roberts Sports, investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
At the same time, the NEC commissioner had identified temporary staff allegedly involved in electoral malpractices in Montserrado County Tally.
The NEC boss named Butie S. Monday, temporary staff with application number 086791 in electoral district #4, Jamama N. Togby, application number 089187 electoral district #4. J. K. Gbassegy, application number 061403 electoral district #8, Tracy application number 06265 electoral district #15 and Victor T. Johnson, temporary staff application number 102959 electoral district #16 are also amongst them.
She noted that they are also in police custody ongoing investigation to be forwarded to court.
At the same time, the NEC has assured political parties, candidates and stakeholders that the alleged electoral malpractices are well corrected and in no affect the outcome of the elections.
” The NEC also notes that individual involved in those acts will no longer work for the NEC.
In continuation, the NEC chairperson addressed the delay in the payment of temporary staff, NEC boss said that date in the payment of temporary staff is based on little adjustment in the payroll process to accommodate new payroll staff entering into the Human Resources System.
According to her, these staff were placed in last minute to time, while presiding and voters identification officers who didn’t show up on election day that were recruited by NEC online recruitment portal.
“In addition, the delayed in payment was at the results of magistrate and electoral supervisor involvement in ensuring that the tally process at magistrate level went on smoothly. Hence, their role in preparing payroll was slow” she added.
Madam Brown-Lansanah stated that currently payroll has being completed with so far, Lofa, Upper Bong and Lower Montserrado, Sinoe and River Gee have send their payroll and temporary staff will begin to received their payment via mobile money as immediately.
“At the same time, payroll of the eleven counties are expected soon and will be immediately transfer. Currently, the Commissioner is manually generating contract for new temporary staff for those who didn’t show up on election day. However, upon completion, contract will be send to magisterial offices for distribution ” she noted.
