By Rufus Divine Brooks Jr
The National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia has strongly condemned a protest staged at its Upper Bong County Magisterial Office on Wednesday, January 7, describing the action as unlawful and based on a misinterpretation of Liberia’s Elections Law.
According to a statement issued by NEC, a group of young demonstrators entered the commission’s premises, displayed placards, and asserted that only “natives” of a county are eligible to serve as elections magistrates within that county.
The protesters specifically challenged the appointment of Upper Bong County Elections Magistrate, Alfred W. Tokpa, claiming he is unqualified because he is not a native of the county. Placards carried during the protest reportedly read: “Only Bong natives can serve Bong” and “Stop foreign appointments.”
The NEC categorically rejected these claims, describing them as false, misleading, and unsupported by law.
The Commission emphasized that Liberia’s Elections Law does not impose any requirement that an elections magistrate must originate from the county of assignment.
Under the Elections Law of 2005, as amended, the NEC holds exclusive authority to appoint Elections Magistrates and other electoral officers.
Appointments, the Commission noted, are made strictly on the basis of merit, professional competence, and the need to ensure efficient, transparent, and credible electoral administration nationwide.
“The authority to appoint magistrates is strictly administrative and organizational,” the NEC stated. “It is in no way contingent upon a birth-county or native-status requirement.”
The Commission further noted that the protest constituted interference with its lawful operations as Liberia’s independent electoral management body.
Mr. Tokpa, a long-serving NEC staff member, previously served as a Regional Coordinator before his appointment as Elections Magistrate for Upper Bong County.
The NEC highlighted his extensive experience, full compliance with statutory requirements, and adherence to the Commission’s core values of independence, credibility, transparency, and professionalism.
Concluding its statement, the NEC issued a stern warning that any future unlawful actions at the Upper Bong Magisterial Office—or any NEC facility—will result in appropriate legal action.
The Commission stressed that it will not tolerate intimidation, obstruction, or interference with the conduct of its constitutional mandate.
The NEC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of Liberia’s electoral process.
