MONROVIA – On Monday, November 11, 2024, unsatisfied workers of Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) staged a protest in front of the Executive Mansion, appealing directly to President Joseph Boakai to address long-standing grievances. Led by Chairperson Divedetta Brown-Lansanna, the workers voiced concerns over unpaid benefits, poor working conditions, and alleged internal disunity within the NEC’s Board of Commissioners, which they claim has led to inaction and financial hardship for employees.
In a detailed statement, the aggrieved workers recounted a series of unaddressed issues, beginning with an October 29 meeting aimed at resolving these matters amicably. Despite their commitment to serving the state under challenging conditions, including during the recent 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, NEC staff say they have endured consistent neglect. Eleven employees have reportedly died while employed at the NEC, with some succumbing directly in the line of duty.
The workers highlighted several grievances, including the hazardous conditions they faced without insurance, forcing many to pay medical expenses out-of-pocket. Traditionally, NEC employees are given bonuses following election cycles as a reward for their dedication, but this year, they have received neither bonuses nor promised benefits. While NEC staff made significant adjustments during the 2023 elections to help the Commission save approximately $8 million, the Board of Commissioners has reportedly stalled all financial decisions, even restricting fuel issuance and essential transportation support for employees.
The NEC staff criticized what they described as an “iron curtain” of disunity among the Board of Commissioners, which has resulted in conflicting claims regarding staff benefits. This lack of cohesion, they assert, has “frozen” all payments outside of salaries and left the NEC headquarters in unsanitary and potentially hazardous conditions. Employees have been forced to use personal resources for basic transportation and sanitary needs, as restroom facilities at the Commission have deteriorated to unsustainable levels.
The workers also expressed frustration with the lack of transparency regarding NEC budgetary matters. Over 99% of staff reportedly lack access to finalized budget information, which has complicated efforts to understand their entitlements. The Board’s recent proposal to apply the Public Financial Management (PFM) statute, which would return unspent funds to national coffers, has only intensified their concerns, given the looming fiscal deadline.
To address these issues, the NEC employees are calling on the Board of Commissioners to formally establish a committee to review and adjust budget submissions to ensure staff benefits are prioritized. They demand that all outstanding benefits be settled by the end of the week, or November 15, 2024, and they urge an immediate end to the freeze on payments for administrative and operational costs, including fuel, office maintenance, and sanitation supplies. Employees also seek transparency in salary deductions for taxes and other statutory contributions, with detailed records provided to each staff member.
These workers insist that these actions are necessary to restore operational efficiency, address health and safety concerns, and ensure the welfare of NEC personnel who play a vital role in upholding Liberia’s democratic processes.
As the protest reveals, pressure mounts on President Boakai’s administration to intervene, with NEC workers hoping their direct appeal will prompt swift action to resolve these pressing grievances and restore order within Liberia’s electoral commission.
