PHOTO: Justice Francis Korkpor chatting outside the LNBA convention/election center
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
GANTA, Liberia- In an unexpected turn of events during the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) election held over the weekend here at a local at a local hotel in the northeastern Nimba County, former Liberian Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor was denied the right to vote.
Despite a thorough search of the voter register, his name was not found, thus he was not allowed to cast his ballot in the LNBA’s leadership election. The election, which ran from 1 PM to 5 PM, was noted for its exceptional organization, with some describing it as one of the most well-conducted elections in the history of the Bar Association.
Witnesses reported seeing the former Chief Justice standing outside the venue with some of his colleagues, visibly disappointed after being denied entry to vote.
During his tenure as Chief Justice, Korkpor was a regular participant in Bar Association elections and activities. However, he has recently withdrawn from these events for reasons known to himself.
The denial of his voting right was attributed to his failure to maintain good standing, a requirement for voting.
An election official explained that although Justice Korkpor is a licensed lawyer, he did not pay his convention fee, which is necessary for maintaining good standing.
Some lawyers, speaking anonymously, suggested that the former Chief Justice may have believed he was entitled to vote regardless of his dues status, which is not the case.
All other Associate Justices and former Associate Justices present during the just-ended LNBA election were able to vote, including the current Chief Justice, Yuoh who attended the convention’s opening ceremony the previous day before departing.