A display of strike to reveal their frustration, scores of employees from the National Elections Commission (NEC) gathered near the Capitol Building on November 11, following the publication of a damning report that unveiled an alleged US$8 million corruption scandal. This protest, by the aggrieved NEC workforce, showcased a deepening divide between the Commission’s Board and its staff, amplifying calls for transparency, accountability, and a restoration of trust.
Aggrieved NEC staff outlined their grievances in a resolution dated October 30, 2024.
The document revealed issues stemming from internal mismanagement, poor welfare conditions, and failures in budget transparency.
According to the resolution, the staff had met on October 29 to deliberate on their collective welfare in line with Section 3.11, Count 3 of the Commission’s Administrative Handbook, which emphasizes conflict avoidance.
Among the most pressing concerns was the alarming statistic that 11 NEC staff members had died while performing their duties. This stark revelation highlighted employees’ hazardous work environment, compounded by the lack of insurance and adequate medical support. The resolution detailed how staff members, despite their sacrifices during the demanding 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, received only limited allowances and no post-election bonuses a stark departure from NEC tradition.
Moreover, NEC staff accused the Board of Commissioners of stagnating decision-making processes, which, according to the resolution, led to a “freeze on all payments or expenditures of the Commission, but salaries.” This freeze has allegedly resulted in deteriorating sanitary conditions and limited access to essential resources like fuel for staff transport and janitorial supplies. The report pointed out that workers have been forced to bear additional financial burdens, such as offsetting personal transportation costs and covering medical expenses, often requiring them to seek treatment abroad due to inadequate insurance coverage.
Tensions have further escalated due to the perceived lack of internal transparency and the Board’s alleged failure to communicate finalized budget information. The aggrieved Staff claims that over 99% of NEC personnel are left in the dark about critical financial details, fuelling suspicions of misconduct. The workers highlighted that the Public Financial Management (PFM) statutes being used by the Board to declare unused budget balances do not prioritize staff benefits, which has deepened resentment.
The resolution also warned of a looming crisis tied to the PFM law, which mandates that any unspent budget by an entity must revert to national coffers if not utilized before the fiscal year’s close. According to the workers, this stipulation poses a significant threat to their benefits, sparking fears of a deliberate strategy to avoid paying out owed compensation.
In their resolution, the NEC staff laid out several urgent demands. They called on the Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners to establish a committee tasked with revisiting and amending submissions made to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, ensuring that the benefits and welfare of NEC employees are adequately captured. Furthermore, they demanded the immediate lifting of the payment freeze to facilitate operational and administrative expenses, such as fuel supplies, maintenance of magisterial offices, and procurement of janitorial materials.
The workers also sought the release of records related to salary deductions, including taxes and contributions to the National Social Security & Welfare Corporation (NASSCOP), to maintain legal transparency and accountability.
This protest is a significant test for the leadership of the NEC Board of Commissioners. It reflects not only the staff’s discontent but also raises broader concerns about governance, transparency, and the integrity of national
institutions. The alleged US$8 million in accumulated savings initially meant to support the Commission’s welfare and operations now represents mistrust and mismanagement.
As the NEC navigates this crisis, the nation’s eyes remain fixed on the board’s response. Will it take concrete steps to rebuild employee confidence and ensure their demands are met? Or will it allow this scandal to further erode the already fragile trust in Liberia’s electoral body? The resolution is a stark reminder that workers’ welfare and institutional accountability are not just internal matters but pivotal to maintaining peace and democracy in Liberia.
The NEC staff’s call for justice is more than a demand for benefits; it is a plea for ethical governance, respect for their sacrifices, and restoring integrity within one of Liberia’s most vital institutions.
