IPNEWS: DN News Liberia has REPORTED that suspended National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah is currently lobbying with influential government officials for her reinstatement.
Sources tell FN LIBERIA that suspended NEC chairperson revealed to some closed relatives and friends that she has been in discussions with Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Senior Advisor to the President Augustine Konneh as part of efforts to return to the NEC.
On last Sunday, January 17, 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. indefinitely suspended Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), citing unilateral actions in violation of Liberia’s Elections Law. The decision, announced through an Executive Mansion press release, came on the Bck of escalating tensions at the NEC, including worker protests and allegations of administrative overreached.
The suspension follows an investigation into recent grievances raised by NEC employees, who protested against what they described as unjust dismissals and poor working conditions. The probe revealed that Browne-Lansanah unilaterally closed the NEC office for one month and summarily dismissed 25 employees without consulting the Board of Commissioners, as required by Sections 2.1 and 2.10(d) of the Elections Law. These provisions explicitly mandate that the Board, as a collective body, must oversee all critical decisions, including those related to corrective measures against employees.
“While the committee constituted to investigate the grievances of NEC workers was actively addressing the matter, Madam Browne-Lansanah took precipitous and unilateral actions, thereby undermining the integrity and stability of the institution,” President Boakai stated in the press release. He further emphasized the potential ramifications of Browne-Lansanah’s actions, warning that they could destabilize the Commission at a critical time when by-elections are scheduled within the next two months.
This latest development is the culmination of a series of controversies surrounding Browne-Lansanah’s tenure as NEC Chairperson. The Commission has been marred by internal discord, allegations of financial mismanagement, and accusations of autocratic leadership, all of which have cast a shadow over its ability to uphold its mandate.
Tensions at the NEC have been simmering for months. In November 2024, employees staged a protest at the Commission’s headquarters, demanding hazard benefits owed to them for their work during the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections. Workers alleged that despite the grueling and often dangerous conditions they faced in remote regions, they had received no additional compensation. The protest culminated in Browne-Lansanah’s decision to dismiss 40 employees, an act widely condemned as excessive and unilateral.
The dismissed employees, led by spokesperson Rennie Gleegbar, accused Browne-Lansanah of creating a hostile environment and acting outside the bounds of her authority. “We do not deserve dismissal. We do not even deserve suspension because we have done nothing wrong,” Gleegbar stated. He and other dismissed staff petitioned the government for intervention, arguing that their termination violated due process.
NEC commissioners Floyd Oxley Sayor and Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves also voiced their discontent, accusing Browne-Lansanah of sidelining the Board and making critical decisions without consultation. Sayor specifically cited her handling of the NEC’s $53 million election budget, alleging that the Chairperson had spent large sums without Board approval and failed to provide adequate financial documentation. “She is running NEC unilaterally, and this is not in the interest of the Commission,” Sayor remarked in an earlier interview with the Daily Observer.
Reeves, for her part, denied allegations that she and other commissioners had instigated the protests. She maintained that employees acted independently in demanding their rights, emphasizing that the ongoing crisis was a direct result of Browne-Lansanah’s leadership style. “She has the gavel, and the way she is running things continues to come right back at her,” Reeves said.
The controversy has raised concerns about the NEC’s ability to function effectively. With critical by-elections looming, the Commission’s stability and public trust are paramount. President Boakai, in his statement, underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that the NEC operates transparently and in accordance with the rule of law. “The Government of Liberia remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in all institutions, particularly the NEC, which plays a critical role in upholding Liberia’s democratic principles,” he declared.
The President’s decision to suspend Browne-Lansanah has been viewed as a necessary step to restore order and confidence in the Commission. Analysts note that the NEC’s credibility is vital not only for the upcoming by-elections but also for maintaining public trust in the democratic process. However, the suspension also raises questions about the broader structural issues within the NEC, including the need for reforms to clarify roles and responsibilities among its leadership.
The ongoing crisis has reignited calls to amend Liberia’s Elections Law to prevent similar situations in the future. Sayor has been a vocal advocate for reforms, suggesting that commissioners be assigned roles based on their expertise to promote collaboration and accountability. He also called for changes to the law requiring the Chairperson to preside over meetings, arguing that this provision grants disproportionate power to one individual.
“There is a need for amendment to clearly define the role of each Commissioner,” Sayor argued. “This way, there’s a balance, and everyone would feel important and work hard to accomplish something.”
While Browne-Lansanah’s suspension may provide temporary relief, it also highlights the deep-seated challenges within Liberia’s electoral system. The NEC, as the custodian of the country’s democratic process, must address these issues to regain public confidence and ensure its ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
The NEC’s future now hinges on the government’s ability to address the underlying issues that have plagued the institution. Browne-Lansanah’s suspension, while significant, is only the first step in what must be a comprehensive effort to reform the Commission. As Liberia prepares for critical electoral events, the government and NEC leadership must prioritize transparency, accountability, and inclusivity to uphold the country’s democratic principles.
As the investigation into NEC’s internal affairs continues, all eyes will be on the government’s next steps. The challenge lies not only in addressing immediate grievances but also in laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient electoral system capable of withstanding future crises.
In her move to further encourage those officials to negotiate the lifting of her suspension, our source added that Madam Lansanah has warned that her suspension by the President could hinder the chances of Liberia receiving the US Millennium Challenge Corporation grant of 500 million USD.
She argues that her suspension by the President could be considered an act of disregard for democracy and the rule of law, our source revealed.
“The lady (Madam Lansanah) is frightening the government by telling them that if she is not reinstated, it would jeopardize Liberia’s eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant and strain relationships with ECOWAS and other donor partners. So both Ngafuan and Konneh are advocating for her return,” our source stated.
When contacted, Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah said she could not comment due to instructions from her family and lawyer.
Meanwhile, aggrieved NEC workers have expressed strong opposition to Lansanah’s possible return.
The workers accused “greedy politicians” of politicizing the commission’s operations, threatening their livelihoods, and supporting individuals allegedly involved in corruption.
In a letter to diplomatic missions, they declared their unwillingness to work under Lansanah’s leadership and called for swift investigations by the LACC and the Ombudsman into allegations of corruption, insider trading, and conspiracy to defraud the government.
Both the LACC and Ombudsman failed to confirm whether Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah is being investigated based on the complaint from the workers.
However, DN News has also gathered that due to the ongoing investigation, Madam Lansanah was recently denied a U.S. visa to travel abroad. Sources at NEC confirmed the report, stating the U.S. Embassy instructed her to clear her name with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), where she is under investigation for alleged corruption.
This controversy has left the NEC, a vital institution in Liberia’s democratic process, embroiled in uncertainty.
Recently, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. indefinitely suspended Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah, citing unilateral actions in violation of Liberia’s Elections Law. The decision, announced through an Executive Mansion press release, comes as tensions escalate at the NEC, including worker protests and allegations of administrative overreach.
Prior to the decision, Madam Browne Lansanah dismissed about 25 employees of the entity on allegations of insubordination and disruption at the workplace.
