By By: Staff Writer
Operations at the National Elections Commission (NEC) were abruptly halted Tuesday morning after court sheriffs moved in to enforce a writ of possession, ordering all staff and officials to vacate the Commission’s headquarters in Monrovia. The enforcement action, carried out in full view of workers and contractors, left the premises temporarily shut down as authorities took control of the compound.
The eviction follows a ruling by the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, presided over by His Honor Peter W. Gbeneweleh, which granted ownership of the disputed property to the estate of the late Francis Marshall, represented by members of the Thompson family and co-plaintiff Godwin Marshall. According to the court directive dated April 13, 2026, sheriffs were mandated to enforce the order which explicitly states: “You are hereby commanded… to put the plaintiff… in possession of the said property and to oust, evict, and eject all occupants therefrom.” The writ further instructs officers to “retain possession and make official return… upon executing the order.
As the order was executed, NEC commissioners, including Co-Chairperson Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves, were seen leaving the compound alongside staff. Workers gathered outside the fence, visibly surprised by the sudden development. Even contractors engaged in ongoing renovation works at the facility were instructed to cease operations and exit the premises immediately.
Court officers maintained control of the compound throughout the enforcement, restricting access and ensuring compliance with the ruling. Legal representatives of the NEC were also observed on-site, holding discussions and departing shortly after the execution began, signaling potential next legal steps by the Commission.
The incident underscores a long-running property dispute that has now culminated in decisive judicial action. With the NEC temporarily displaced and the property handed over to the Thompson family, uncertainty looms over the Commission’s immediate operations and the broader implications for Liberia’s electoral administration.
