Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has lifted Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah’s suspension as NEC Chairperson. The announcement was made on Thursday, February 20, on the Executive Mansion’s official Facebook page.
The Executive Mansion said that Madam Browne Lansanah was reinstated after a high-level meeting on Wednesday, February 19, when top officials from the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, the ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, and NEC Commissioners were present. The decision, according to the Executive Mansion, was made following lengthy deliberations between the President’s advisers and the NEC Commissioners, which led to an agreement to improve collaboration within the electoral body and undo the chairperson’s earlier dismissals.
NEC employees warned in a February 4, 2025, press release that her reinstatement would be “an affront to the sacrifices of NEC workers” unless a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement is conducted.
The Executive Mansion release said that President Boakai stressed the importance of unity and professionalism at the NEC, urging Commissioners to collaborate effectively and avoid internal discord that could undermine public confidence in the commission’s work.
He also announced plans to meet with representatives of the NEC’s aggrieved workers at a later date to address grievances raised in a petition following a protest in December 2024.
Following allegations of administrative overreach, including the unilateral termination of 25 staff and the month-long closure of NEC offices without the Board of Commissioners’ consent, Madam Browne Lansanah was placed on indefinite leave in late January, 2025.
NEC employees overwhelmingly praised the suspension, saying it brought stability back and gave them the freedom to voice issues without fear of retaliation or forced transfers.
Despite the commission’s severe financial difficulties, staff have accused the chairperson of financial malpractice, pointing to a questionable $8 million surplus statement. They disclosed that the NEC still lacks dependable energy after spending $200,000 on a solar power system, and that its generator has been out of commission for months because it has not been maintained or fueled.
Additionally, rubbish collection services have been interrupted because of overdue contractor payments that date back to the 2023 elections, and staff buses have been grounded since August 2024 due to unpaid fuel bills.
While the now-reinstated suspended chairperson claimed there was a $8 million surplus, these problems still exist. Sen. Prince Y. Johnson passed away, and the NEC is getting ready for the next Nimba County senate by-election, thus the reinstatement comes at a critical time.
