Says “For Actions In Violation Of The Elections Law”- Heeds NEC Workers’ Call

 PHOTO: Now suspended NEC Chiar, Davidetta Browne-Lansanah

 Protests last December by workers of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and call for the dismissal of NEC’s Chairperson Davidetta Browne-Lansanah has been heeded by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai who today, Wednesday, January 15, 2025 announced her indefinite suspension.

FLASHBACK: One of the protests by NEC workers

In early December last year, a group of aggrieved employees from NEC called on the Liberian leader to remove the NEC Chair from office, due to what they said was her wrongful and unilateral dismissal of some employees. Another Standoff At NEC: After Dismissal Of Workers, Staffers Demand Their Reinstatement – News Public Trust

The NEC Chair has since dismissed claims by workers that she wrongfully sacked employees and failed to pay their hazard benefits they claimed she failed to do after the 2023 elections.

Mrs. Browne- Lansanah hails from Maryland County. She holds double Baccalaureate Degrees in Public Administration and Political Science respectively, from the University of Liberia, and a Masters of Public Administration Degree in Public Sector Management from the Cuttington University Graduate School.

an Executive Mansion press release issued on Wednesday said: “President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has suspended Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), for an indefinite period for actions in violation of the Elections Law.”

SEE FULL TEXT OF EM PRESS RELEASE BELOW:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

President Boakai Suspends NEC Chairperson Browne-Lansanah

January 15, 2025

Executive Mansion, Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has suspended Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), for an indefinite period for actions in violation of the Elections Law.

The suspension follows an investigation into recent protests by aggrieved NEC workers regarding administrative decisions taken without proper consultation. According to the findings, Madam Browne-Lansanah unilaterally announced the closure of the NEC office for one month and dismissed 25 employees without the knowledge or approval of the NEC Board of Commissioners, as required by law.

The President cited Section 2.1 and Section 2.10(d) of the Elections Law, which vests the authority to conduct NEC affairs in the Board of Commissioners as a collective body. The law mandates that decisions involving corrective measures against employees must be taken in consultation with the Board, not by the Chairperson or any individual commissioner acting alone.

“While the committee constituted to investigate the grievances of NEC workers was actively addressing the matter, Madam Browne-Lansanah took precipitous and unilateral actions, thereby undermining the integrity and stability of the institution,” the President stated.

The President expressed concern that such actions could adversely impact the NEC’s ability to conduct by-elections scheduled within the next two months, while also creating a toxic working environment at the Commission.

afThe Government of Liberia remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in all institutions, particularly the NEC, which plays a critical role in upholding Liberia’s democratic principles.

Signed:

Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana

Presidential Press Secretary