Two senior officials of the National Elections Commission (NEC) are in a tussle over leftover money in the Commission’s budget, trading claims and counter-claims.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia, November 6, 2024—The current internal conflict at Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) escalates amid a dispute over US$8 million leftover from its US$53 million budget disbursed for the 2023 Presidential and Representative Elections.
This issue, marked by claims and counterclaims, seems to prolong the turbulence within the NEC, raising concerns about its financial management and transparency.
The disagreement between Chairperson Davidetta Browne-Lassanah and Co-Chair Commissioner P. Teplah Reeves could potentially have broader implications on the credibility and effectiveness of their activity, especially as the country looks forward to the next elections in 2029.
The dispute over the remaining US$8 million at the NEC is rooted in disagreement over how the funds should be managed.
Chairperson Brown-Lassanah says the money has been declared to the Government of Liberia in line with the Public Financial Management (PFM) law following the elections.
However, this move seems not being welcomed by Co-chairperson Reeves, who allegedly argues that rather than being cleared, the remaining funds should be used to address pressing issues within the Commission.
The disagreement highlights ongoing governance challenges at the NEC and raises questions about the allocation and usage of public funds, especially in the aftermath of a historic election that was generally fair, transparent, and credible. The incumbent conceded defeat prior to the announcement of the final results.
According to Madam Brown-Lassanah, “When the agitation over the remaining funds began, I approached the Minister of Finance, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, to reaffirm the declaration of the US$8 million.”
She further explains that US$8 million had been declared to the government under the previous Finance Minister, Boimah Kamara.
The NEC Boss emphasized that she resubmitted the funding allocation details to the Ministry of Finance, making it clear that no further financial actions could be taken at the NEC until the ministry’s approval.
This step reflects the NEC’s procedural and bureaucratic hurdles as it seeks to undertake preparatory activities.
However, during the period, over US$2 million was spent on bye-elections in Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties, reducing the balance to US$5 million from US$8 million.
Current Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan allegedly informed the NEC board that the time had elapsed for utilizing the remaining US$8 million. As a result, any future work or proposals for reallocating funds would only be based on a balance of approximately US$2 million, not the over US$5 million that was still in the government’s coffers.
The NEC proceeded with its work and submitted a supplementary budget proposal of US$2 million. Among key items in the proposal was hazard pay, with a portion of this amount intended to cover insurance costs.
Chairperson Brown-Lassanah expressed frustration on OK FM on Monday, stating that one of her primary challenges is not being recognized as the legitimate head of the National Elections Commission.
She reveals that some officials within the Commission have downplayed her authority, saying that her only role is to serve as spokesperson for the NEC. This alleged undermining of her position has contributed to internal tensions, complicating her efforts to manage the Commission’s broader operational issues.
However, co-chairperson Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves denied having any conversation with the chairperson regarding the declaration of the remaining US$8 million to the government on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Cllr. Reeves emphasizes that she had never discussed or been involved in decisions about declaring or not declaring the remaining funds. This statement adds to the growing discord within the NEC, highlighting communication gaps and conflicting accounts between the two key officials, further complicating the Commission’s financial and operational challenges.
When asked if there was any personal conflict between her and Chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lassanah, Co-chairperson Reeves clarified that there was no personal animosity between them.
She explains that the issues were strictly related to organizational structure and leadership roles within the NEC.
Reeves points to the new elections law as a key factor that guides roles and responsibilities of Commissioners at NEC, suggesting that the tension arose from differing interpretations of these rules rather than any personal dispute.
This response underscores the situation’s complexity. The challenges seem to stem more from procedural disagreements than personal conflicts.
Cllr. Reeves expresses surprise and frustration over Chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lassanah’s statement, noting that she (Reeves) was taken aback by the claim that she had told the Chairperson not to return the remaining US$8 million.
“Why I wouldn’t want the Chairperson to take the US$8 million back when I am a lawyer,” emphasizing that as a legal professional, she understands that the Public Financial Management (PFM) law requires any leftover funds to be returned to the government.
According to her, the law stipulates that unused funds should go back to the government, and only upon approval can those funds be reallocated to the Commission. Her response further underscores legal and procedural differences fueling the ongoing dispute within the NEC.
She criticizes Chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lassanah for making decisions unilaterally, emphasizing that, as a collective body, the NEC should involve all commissioners in decisions.
She also expresses concern over the Chairperson’s claim that preparatory activities were ongoing, questioning how such activities could continue when all the Commission’s funding had been suspended.
Reeves’ comments reflect growing frustrations over what she perceives as a lack of collaboration and transparency in decision-making, further deepening the current divide that left some staff of the Commission protesting here on Tuesday, 5 November. Editing by Jonathan Browne
