President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has suspended National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lansanah, citing escalating internal unrest and violations of Liberia’s Elections Law.
The decision has sparked intense debate, with some hailing it as a necessary intervention and others questioning its legality and potential impact on the country’s fragile democracy.
The suspension follows a series of controversies within the NEC, including protests and allegations of administrative irregularities. Central to President Boakai’s decision were allegations that Brown-Lansanah unilaterally closed the NEC office for a month and dismissed 25 employees without consulting the Board of Commissioners, in violation of Sections 2.1 and 2.10(d) of the Elections Law.
The President emphasized that such actions undermine institutional stability and disrupt operations critical to the successful conduct of upcoming by-elections.
“Decisions of this magnitude must reflect collective agreement among the Board of Commissioners to ensure transparency and accountability,” the President stated. He accused the NEC Chairperson of acting unilaterally while an investigative committee was addressing workers’ grievances, further deepening the commission’s internal crisis. The government reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all public institutions adhere to principles of good governance.
The NEC has been embroiled in controversy since December 2024, when over 40 staff members were reportedly dismissed after protesting alleged corruption, non-payment of salaries, and poor working conditions. Despite denials from the NEC’s communications office, termination letters signed by Human Resource Director Hauline G. Korkoyah and approved by Executive Director Anthony K. Sengbe confirmed the dismissals, citing gross insubordination and disrespect toward the Chairperson’s office. The dismissed employees had blocked entrances to NEC headquarters and disrupted operations, leading to their removal.
This unrest has intensified scrutiny of the NEC’s leadership, particularly following a protest on November 26, 2024, during which workers demanded overdue salaries and benefits. Protestors accused the commission’s leadership of mismanaging resources and neglecting their concerns, further tarnishing its credibility. The crisis has raised serious doubts about the NEC’s ability to function effectively and conduct fair elections.
A report by the Center for Development and Election Management (CEDEM) has added fuel to the fire, highlighting systemic failures within the NEC. The report outlined 12 key areas of concern, including widespread irregularities that allegedly undermined the credibility of the 2023 elections. It challenged claims that the elections adhered to democratic standards and called for urgent reforms to restore public trust in Liberia’s electoral process.
The CEDEM report also questioned the allocation of $53 million for the 2023 elections, particularly $5 million designated for civic and voter education, which it claimed had minimal impact. The report recommended a comprehensive audit of NEC finances, amendments to electoral laws, and the appointment of interim leadership to rebuild the commission’s credibility.
