Monrovia, Liberia – The National Elections Commission (NEC) chair, Madame Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, has been placed on indefinite leave by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., for activities that were judged to be detrimental to stability and public order.
An Executive Mansion statement states that the suspension comes after an examination into recent complaints by angry NEC employees over administrative decisions made without enough consultation. As per the findings, Madam Browne-Lansanah fired 25 workers and unilaterally declared the NEC office would be closed for a month without the NEC Board of Commissioners’ knowledge or consent, as is required by law.
The President referred to Sections 2.1 and 2.10(d) of the 1986 New Elections Law, which provide the Board of Commissioners the collective competence to manage NEC activities.
The statute stipulates that the Board, not the Chairperson or any one commissioner acting alone, must consult before making decisions about corrective measures against employees.
The President said, Madam Browne-Lansanah took rash and unilateral actions, undermining the integrity and stability of the institution, while the committee constituted to investigate the grievances of NEC workers was actively addressing the matter.
In addition to creating a poisonous work atmosphere at the Commission, the President voiced worry that such acts might negatively affect the NEC’s capacity to hold by-elections that are scheduled within the next two months.
However, the suspension of National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairwoman Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansanah by President Joseph Boakai has drawn strong criticism and prompted questions about Liberia’s democratic situation.
Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, who was appointed by then-President George Weah in 2020, has played a crucial role at the NEC. Her effective management of Liberia’s 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections won her recognition both at home and abroad. She was instrumental in planning other legislative by-elections before this.
She did, however, argue with other commissioners last year over administrative issues. After demonstrations at the NEC offices, she allegedly fired over 40 employees for “gross insubordination,” which heightened the tension. During the 2023 elections, the workers had been requesting hazard benefits for their labor.
Tensions within the institution grew as a result of the sharp criticism her decision received from the impacted staff and a few NEC Board of Commissioners members. As the disagreement worsened, President Boakai decided to step in and form an investigating team to deal with the matter.
The Rule of Law Legislative Caucus, led by Representative Musa Hassan Bility (District #7, Nimba County), has harshly criticized the suspension, calling it illegal. The Caucus underlined that maintaining democracy depends on the NEC’s independence, which is guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Supreme Court of Liberia has categorically declared that the suspension of tenured officers is equivalent to their dismissal, the Caucus stated. Only through the impeachment procedure, which involves the National Legislature, are such removals legitimately permitted. The President has overreached himself, violated the separation of powers, and jeopardized constitutional safeguards by eschewing this procedure.
The suspension of the NEC Chairperson, who presided over the controversial 2023 elections, erodes public trust in the democratic process and creates a risky precedent of Executive overreach, the Caucus said.
The statement went on to say, “We implore the President to reverse this decision and let constitutional procedures take precedence.” “The very foundation of our democracy is in danger of being threatened by the loss of institutional independence, which could lead the nation into uncharted territory.”
