The National Elections Commission (NEC) is grappling with an increasingly hostile working environment, undermining productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness. On Tuesday, during working hours, NEC workers protested, beating drums and chanting slogans to demand their overdue salaries and benefits.
For weeks, disgruntled NEC employees have been protesting, citing corruption issues and the denial of their rightful entitlements under the current leadership. This demonstration coincided with a new report from the Center for Development and Election Management (CEDEM), which raised serious concerns about the credibility of Liberia’s electoral process and called for urgent reforms within the NEC.
In a detailed five-page report, obtained by Verity Online News, accuses the NEC of widespread irregularities that, according to CEDEM, have undermined the integrity of the elections despite official claims of a free and fair process. The report challenges the assertion that the 2023 elections met democratic standards, outlining 12 specific areas of concern. CEDEM argues that the NEC’s lack of competence, integrity, and neutrality has exposed systemic flaws that, if left unaddressed, could further erode public trust in Liberia’s electoral system.
As internal conflicts continue to plague the NEC, the institution—once considered a professional body with a promising future—has been thrown into disarray. The persistent uprisings among workers and leadership disputes have caused instability, making it difficult for the commission to operate effectively. Tuesday’s demonstration, marked by loud chanting and drumming, was a bold statement of the growing frustration with the leadership’s inability to address the institution’s challenges.
Although NEC Chairperson Madam Davidetta Brown-Lassannah has repeatedly denied the workers’ claims, the situation continues to worsen, prompting calls for immediate intervention. Recently, the aggrieved staff demanded Madam Brown-Lassannah’s suspension and presented a petition to both the Legislature and the Executive Branch outlining their grievances.
The workers highlighted internal mismanagement, poor working conditions, and a lack of budget transparency in their petition. One of the most alarming revelations was that 11 NEC staff members had died while performing their duties, underscoring the hazardous work environment at the commission.
Compounding these internal issues, CEDEM is also calling for comprehensive electoral reforms, including an audit of the commission’s activities, amendments to electoral laws, and interim leadership to stabilize the situation. The organization raised concerns over the $53 million allocated for the 2023 elections, including $5 million intended for civic and voter education, which reportedly yielded little to no results.
CEDEM has emphasized the need for impartial oversight throughout the audit and reform processes. It suggests that an interim leadership team be appointed to oversee NEC operations until the commission is stabilized and its credibility restored.
