By By: Alphanso G. Kalama
More than 100 employees of the National Elections Commission (NEC) have united to demand immediate action on budget transparency, fair compensation, and improved working conditions. In a resolution obtained by DN News, the staff is calling on the NEC’s Board of Commissioners, led by Madam Davidetta Brown Lassana, to take steps to address several key concerns, including the allocation of unspent budget funds from the 2023 general elections.
The resolution, signed by a significant portion of the NEC workforce, calls for the creation of a committee to review and determine how the remaining budget should be allocated. A primary demand is the payment of six months’ hazard allowances and insurance benefits, which employees insist should be covered by the unspent budget funds. The resolution also requests that these decisions be approved by the Board of Commissioners once finalized.
Additionally, the employees are urging that the proposed budget allocations cover administrative expenses, such as maintaining headquarters and magisterial offices, as well as repairing and servicing staff buses and assigned vehicles.
Staff members emphasize that reaching a consensus among the Board of Commissioners is crucial to ensuring transparency and accountability in the budgeting process. They argue that these measures are vital to maintaining staff morale and ensuring the NEC is fully prepared for upcoming elections.
In response to the staff’s demands, Madam Davidetta Brown Lassana addressed the issue publicly, stating that the NEC had declared an $8 million surplus to the Liberian government after the 2023 elections. She clarified that these funds were never intended for distribution to staff but were officially handed over to the government as part of the NEC’s financial closure.
“I want to be clear that the $8 million was not misappropriated,” Madam Lassana explained. “It was used solely for approved purposes, including by-elections and staff allowances.” She acknowledged that some staff members felt the leftover funds should have been used for their direct benefit, but insisted that the allocation followed proper procedures.
Despite these explanations, employees remain firm in their demands for greater financial transparency and better working conditions, arguing that these issues must be addressed to ensure the NEC can effectively carry out its responsibilities, especially in preparation for future elections.
The situation reflects rising tensions within the NEC, and it remains unclear whether the Commission’s leadership will take steps to address employee concerns and improve relations within the organization.
