Monrovia, Liberia – Concern Youth of Margibi County, a group of pro-democracy activists, has petitioned the National Elections Commission (NEC) to revoke Nathanial F. McGill’s certification as a candidate because he allegedly lied about his residence. McGill was a former minister of state for presidential affairs who was sanctioned by the United States.
Recently, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) nominated the secntiond former minister McGill to run for senator of Margibi County. The National Elections Commission (NEC) then certified McGill as a candidate for the upcoming October 10, 2023, Legislative and Presidential Elections.
The Concern Youth of Margibi County has since submitted a two-page petition to the National Elections Commission (NEC) asking that the body rescind Mr. McGill’s certification.
“We the undersigned Concern Youth of Margibi County, Republic of Liberia do here write with abysmal grief and dismay objecting to the nomination of Hon. Nathaniel Farlo McGill to contest for the post of Senator of Margibi County, Republic of Liberia and request the National Elections Commission (NEC) to deny his qualification, registration and certification and on legal and factual reasons.”
Through a petition sent to the National Elections Commission (NEC) Board of Commissioners on July 6, 2023, the organization claimed that Mr. McGill actually lived in Montserrado County District Six rather than Margibi County as he had claimed to the NEC.
“Our request is based on the false information he provided to the National Elections Commission (NEC) as stipulated in His Affidavit of Confirmation of Domicile in which he stated under oath that he’s Domicile in Margibi County, the county of which he wants to represent.”
The Concern Youth of Margibi County stated that they are basing their argument on Article 30 (b) of the Republic of Liberia’s Constitution from 1986, which states that “citizens of Liberia who meet the following qualifications are eligible to become members of the Legislature: a. For the Senate, have attained the age of 30 years, and for the House of Representatives, have attained the age of 25 years – And b. Be domicile in the county or constituency to be represented not less than one (1) year prior to the election and be a taxpayer.
The petitioners argued that Mr. McGill cannot be domicile in District Six of Montserrado County and at the same time be domicile in Margibi County and or any other place in the Republic of Liberia for the purpose of contesting in the ensuing October 10 elections in keeping with law.
The National Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Emeritus, Chief Cyril A. Allen, was barred from running in a representative bi-election in Margibi County District Two due to a residence provision, according to a 2006 judgement by the Supreme Court of Liberia, which was cited by the Concern Youth of Margibi County.
The petitioners also stated that they are relying on the Supreme Court’s definition of and opinion on domicile in order to ask the National Elections Commission (NEC) to reject and revoke Mr. Nathaniel F. McGill’s nomination as a candidate for senator of Margibi County in the upcoming elections on October 10 and to grant the Concern Youth of Margibi County any additional relief that the law, equity, and justice deemed appropriate in the circumstances.
Communication to the NEC Communications office was not successful concerning the petition.
The group action towards the former minister is one of many Liberians who are requesting NEC not to allow the former stateman not to run in this year’s election due to alligations against him by the United States government.
Reported by :Christopher Wiah
Contact: +231880948408-+231770247202
Email: christopherwiah153@gmail.com
