-As NEC certificates Prez-elect Weah, Veep Taylor and 66 new Reps
The National Elections Commission (NEC) is today (Thursday) holding a big certification of all winners of the 2017 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia.
President-elect George Manneh Weah, Vice President-elect Jewel Howard-Taylor and newly elected Representatives from Liberia’s 15 counties are to be officially and formally certificated at what is expected to be an elaborate program.
The program is due to kick off at 2pm at the NEC headquarters in Monrovia.
However, NEC’s Spokesman Henry Flomo says only 66 newly elected lawmakers will be certificated, because there are legal challenges not yet resolved for seven of the 73 electoral districts in Nimba, Bong and Lofa Counties.
Two incumbent Representatives who took part in the October 10, 2017 legislative elections—Larry Younquoi of Nimba and Clarance Momolu of Lofa—are among the six candidates whose fate hangs in the balance.
For example is the case of Younquoi, the Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC) has declared him winner of the October 10 polls in Nimba County District # 8.
But his main rival Saye Mianah, who was earlier declared winner from a recount, has since filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Liberia which is pending ruling.
Rep. Younquoi filed an appeal to the Board of Commissioners after NEC’s Hearing Officer, John K. Wonsehleay declared his rival, Saye Mianah winner of the poll.
A recount of the votes cast in the district puts Younquoi ahead of Mianah, who was previously declared winner with 19 votes different.
In the initial count, Younquoi obtained 6,089 votes, but the recount showed that he actually received 6,191 of the valid votes leaving the difference of 102 votes.
Mianah obtained 6,108 votes during the initial count, but the recount showed that he actually received 6,174 of the valid votes cast leaving a gain of 66.
The recount showed that Younquoi obtained the highest votes and has a 17 vote lead over Mianah.
But, following the recount witnessed by several local and international observers in Saclepea City, Nimba County, Mianah filed an appeal and was declared winner by Cllr. Wonsehleay.
Cllr. Wonsehleay argued that the recount conducted in Saclepea City, Nimba County was unconstitutional and therefore re-instituted the provisional result, which had Mianah with 19 votes lead.
Not being satisfied with the NEC’s Hearing Officer’s decision, Younquoi took flight to NEC’s Board of Commissioners as required by law.
The Board of Commissioners overturned its Hearing Officer’s judgment and said he (Cllr. Wonsehleay) lacks legal authority to pass judgment on constitutional issues.
“The only issue our hearing officer had jurisdiction over was the factual, and if constitutional matters are raised such constitutional matters should be handled by the Supreme Court,” NEC Chairman, Cllr. Korkoya said. Alloycious David contributed to this Report