During the morning hours of Tuesday, October 5, the National Elections Commission (NEC) headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia, became an epicenter of protest as both senior and junior staff members gathered to demand payment of four months’ worth of outstanding salaries, allowances, and benefits.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans critical of Chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lansanah and the entire NEC board, the protesting workers voiced their frustrations over delayed payments, leaving NEC’s management in turmoil. The scene underscored the pressing challenges within the NEC as it faces significant unrest among its workforce.
Protesters, who held signs reading phrases such as “No money, no work” and “No benefits, no insurance,” expressed their growing disillusion with NEC’s leadership and perceived inability to resolve longstanding payment issues. Among their demands, the employees called for the payment of four months’ worth of salaries, allowances, and insurance benefits that, according to them, have been withheld. The workers also decried the lack of transparency regarding their benefits, insisting that their plight has been repeatedly ignored.
“We have spoken to the bosses, but nothing has been done,” one worker remarked, adding that the payment delay has left staff in a precarious financial situation. The protesters also submitted a signed resolution urging the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to audit NEC’s finances to clarify the financial mismanagement they allege has caused their hardship.
“If we don’t get our benefits, there will be no work,” another protester declared, emphasizing that NEC employees are prepared to continue their demonstration until they receive the funds owed to them. Workers warned that their protest would continue indefinitely until the government and NEC board address their grievances and honor their commitments.
NEC Chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lansanah addressed the protest, stating that the NEC had not intentionally withheld employee payments. In her response, Brown-Lansanah explained that the commission had previously agreed with its staff members to pay six months’ worth of general allowances, which she says was honored. According to Brown-Lansanah, the NEC’s original budget request of $91 million for electoral operations was reduced to $53 million through negotiations with the Ministry of Finance. She pointed out that the cuts impacted NEC’s budget, including allowances and voter education initiatives.
“As it stands, the government of Liberia, through the National Elections Commission, does not owe any staff money,” Brown-Lansanah stated firmly. She argued that the agreed-upon six months of general allowances had been disbursed, fulfilling NEC’s obligations according to the renegotiated terms. Brown-Lansanah reiterated that both NEC board members and technicians mutually agreed upon the budget reduction, and thus, NEC had no additional unpaid obligations.
Furthermore, Brown-Lansanah addressed allegations regarding an $8 million budget surplus from the Government’s funding for the recent elections. The amount, she clarified, was returned to the Government after the NEC decided it was not needed for the electoral process. Reports circulated among NEC staff and the public that the funds should have been distributed among NEC workers as bonuses, stirring discontent among employees. However, Brown-Lansanah firmly refuted these claims, dismissing rumors that she or any other NEC official misappropriated the funds. “We welcome the audit at NEC,” she said, affirming her support for transparency in the commission’s operations.
Despite Brown-Lansanah’s assurances, NEC staff expressed lingering frustrations and suspicion toward NEC’s leadership, particularly around budget handling. Many workers believe the NEC’s financial decisions lacked transparency, particularly in the case of the $8 million that was ultimately returned to the Government. The discontent has grown so intense that workers are now calling for an independent investigation to verify NEC’s claims about the funds and to assess the commission’s financial practices.
“We deserve answers,” one protesting worker insisted. “We are the ones who put in the work to ensure the election process runs smoothly, yet we are the ones suffering due to unpaid allowances and lack of benefits.”
The ongoing protests at NEC could have severe implications for the commission’s operations, especially as workers have signaled their intention to halt all activities until their demands are met. With the country’s election processes still requiring attention, any prolonged strike or disruption at NEC could impact the commission’s ability to fulfill its mandate effectively. Furthermore, the demand for an independent audit may pressure the NEC board to demonstrate accountability in handling government funds.
The situation has raised concerns about NEC’s governance and financial management.
The NEC staff protest reflects a situation where delayed payments and budgetary constraints frequently impact workers.
As NEC’s leadership grapples with the financial constraints imposed by the reduced budget, the Government is urged to review its budget allocations to public institutions such as NEC to ensure they can meet their obligations to employees and function effectively.
