-Amid Financial Mismanagement Allegations
By Vaye A. Lepolu
The workforce of the National Elections Commission (NEC) has formally petitioned President Joseph N. Boakai, calling for the immediate removal of NEC Chairperson Davidatta Brown Lassanah. The staff is also demanding an audit of the commission’s financial dealings, citing concerns over misappropriation of funds.
Madam Deddeh Mulbah Pusah, the Director for Civil and Voter Education at NEC, presented the petition on behalf of the staff. She expressed deep frustration with the current leadership, particularly regarding the handling of the commission’s finances and recent budgetary decisions.
“The 2023 elections were conducted credibly and peacefully, thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of both the Board of Commissioners and the general workforce,” said Madam Pusah. “However, we were alarmed by the Chairperson’s unexpected declaration of an excess amount of US$8 million without the knowledge or consent of the other commissioners.”
Madam Pusah emphasized that the NEC is an independent commission established by the Constitution of Liberia and governed by the 1986 New Elections Law. She pointed out that the commission’s procedures, particularly Section 2.4 regarding quorum and voting, were not followed in the recent budgetary discussions.
During a general meeting on October 24, 2024, presided over by the Board of Commissioners, tensions escalated as claims and counterclaims arose. Madam Pusah noted that Chairperson Lassanah acknowledged undertaking budgetary transfers unilaterally, citing inactivity among other board members. This decision, she argued, disregarded the welfare of the staff and the approval of the other commissioners.
Additionally, Madam Pusah highlighted concerns raised by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning regarding the initial budget submission, which did not adequately consider the interests of NEC staff. Following a second visit, the ministry informed the commission that of the more than US$6 million in NEC accounts, over US$4 million had been withdrawn by the government, leaving only US$2 million available for the commission’s operations.
The petition also outlined several questionable financial practices within the NEC, including:
•The rental of unnecessary equipment, such as thermometers.
•The purchase of over US$500,000 worth of cameras that were never used.
•The procurement and installation of a dysfunctional solar system cost over US$200,000.
•Lack of transparency in budget execution among Board of Commissioners and senior staff.
•Misappropriation of vehicle rentals for the 2023 presidential elections and legislative by-elections in Nimba and Grand Gedeh.
Madam Pusah further urged President Boakai to intervene on behalf of NEC staff, demanding the payment of four months’ unpaid hazard allowances and annual insurance benefits that were denied during the electoral period, especially after the tragic loss of 11 colleagues during the 2023 general elections.
She also called for the government to allocate adequate funds for administrative costs, including addressing fuel shortages, improving unsanitary conditions at NEC headquarters and magistrate offices, and repairing staff buses and assigned vehicles.
Cllr. B. Ben Kehekai, legal advisor to President Boakai, received the petition from NEC staff and assured them that their concerns would be taken seriously. “President Boakai will review the matters raised in your petition,” he stated. He also commended the NEC staff for their peaceful approach in presenting their grievances by the Constitution of Liberia.
