Monrovia, Liberia – February 3, 2025 – The aggrieved workforce of the National Elections Commission (NEC) has called on President Joseph Boakai to initiate a comprehensive forensic audit into the Commission’s financial dealings, citing strong allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
In a press statement released on Monday, the NEC employees expressed relief following the President’s recent decision to suspend the Commission’s Chairperson. They described the move as a significant step toward restoring order and harmony within Liberia’s election management body, which had been embroiled in controversy since October 2024.
“For the first time in a long time, staff were able to freely express their views during a recent meeting with the remaining six Commissioners without fear of intimidation or retaliation,” the statement read.
However, the workforce stressed that the suspension alone is not enough. They insist that a full-scale audit is necessary to uncover alleged financial irregularities, including reports that the suspended Chairperson unilaterally declared an $8 million surplus despite outstanding liabilities.
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
The NEC workforce has raised serious concerns about the Commission’s financial and operational status, citing a pattern of mismanagement that has left the institution struggling to function effectively. One of the most pressing issues is the failure of a $200,000 solar power system, which was installed to ensure continuous electricity supply. Despite this investment, the NEC building remains in total darkness whenever the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) is unavailable, severely hampering operations. Additionally, the NEC’s backup generator has been non-functional for months due to a lack of fuel and maintenance, leaving the institution with no reliable power source.
Transportation has also become a major challenge for NEC staff. Since August 2024, staff buses have been grounded due to fuel shortages, making it difficult for employees to commute. Financial instability at the Commission has extended to waste management as well. Garbage from the 2023 elections had remained piled up for months at the NEC headquarters because the Commission failed to pay its contractors. Eventually, staff had to step in and voluntarily clean the compound to maintain a sanitary work environment.
Adding to these issues, NEC employees have not received their allowances for the past four months, while vendors remain unpaid for services rendered. These financial burdens, the workforce argues, contradict the claim that the Commission has an $8 million surplus. They are calling on the government to launch an immediate forensic audit to determine how funds have been managed and where the alleged surplus came from.
Concerns Over Possible Reinstatement
Despite these challenges, the workforce claims to have received credible reports that certain individuals close to the Presidency are lobbying for the reinstatement of the suspended Chairperson without an audit or proper investigation. They warned that any such move would be “counterproductive and an affront to the sacrifices of the staff.”
“We have reached out to our international partners, including ECOWAS, the European Union, USAID, and various diplomatic missions, to inform them of the ongoing crisis,” the employees stated.
They further emphasized that reinstating the Chairperson under the current circumstances would damage staff morale and disrupt electoral activities, which could have broader implications for Liberia’s democratic process.
Background of the NEC Crisis
The crisis at the NEC dates back to late 2024, when internal tensions escalated over allegations of poor leadership, financial mismanagement, and corruption. The situation worsened after the suspended NEC Chairperson dismissed 25 staff members, an action that triggered widespread discontent and accusations of retaliation against employees who had raised concerns about governance at the Commission.
The controversy intensified when the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) indicted the NEC Chairperson on corruption-related charges. Calls for reform grew louder, culminating in President Boakai’s decision to suspend her from office.
While her suspension has brought temporary stability, NEC employees argue that lasting reform will only come through a transparent investigation and an overhaul of the Commission’s financial management.
As Liberia prepares for future electoral processes, the NEC workforce is urging the government to prioritize institutional integrity, ensure accountability, and prevent political interference in the Commission’s affairs.
