Gov’t Gives Additional Funds To NEC

-As NEC Awaits Legislature For New By-Elections Date

By Jackson C. Clay, Jr.

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has made available additional funds to the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the conduct of by-elections in the two counties (Montserrado and Bong).

NEC Chairman, Cllr. Jerome Korkoyah

The funds which is in the tone of one million, nine thousand, nine hundred thirty-eight United States dollars (US$1,009,938.00) was made available to the NEC through cheque on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

Making the disclosure Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at the NEC headquarters on 9^th streets in Sinkor, NEC chairman, Cllr. Jerome Korkoyah said with the financial issues significantly resolved, the NEC is awaiting a new date for the conduct of the by-elections.

“I am pleased to inform you that the government of Liberia has provided additional one million, nine thousand, nine hundred thirty-eight United States dollars (US$1,009,938.00) for the by-elections. This brings to total the amount provided by the government to one million, five hundred & nine thousand, nine hundred thirty-eight United States dollars (US$ 1,509,938),” chairman Korkoyah revealed.

The NEC boss also disclosed that the NEC’s partners through what he calls the election project have also made some funds available for the by-elections process.

He named the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), European Union (EU), Sweden, Irish Aid and Canada have all committed five hundred, sixty-five thousand, eight hundred thirty-five United States dollars (US$ 565, 835).

Chairman Korkoyah furthered that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through IFES has also committed eleven thousand, four hundred fifty United States dollars (US$ 11,450), thus, bring the total amount of funds available to conduct the by-elections in both Montserrado and Bong Counties to two million eighty-seven thousand, two hundred twenty-three United States dollars (US$ 2, 087223.00).

Cllr. Korkoyah stated that with this amount at hand, the NEC is currently consummating agreements for international procurement for the printing of ballots and provision of pre-packed kits for the by-elections.

The NEC chairman indicated that NEC has concluded nomination of candidates for the two counties, thus, eleven out of the twelve aspirants have been notified of acceptance of their nomination applications.

He disclosed that a complaint against one of the aspirant, Representative Marvin Cole of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is being looked into by the Independent Hearing Officer of the NEC.

However, Cllr. Korkoyah revealed that consultations are underway with the relevant government’s ministries and agencies so as to find a new date for the conduct of the by-elections in both Montserrado and Bong Counties.

It can be recalled the Liberian Senate, in keeping with the constitution and its by-laws informed the National Elections Commission (NEC) of vacancies within that body which was occasioned by the elections by the current President and vice President, Ambassador George Weah and Jewel Howard Taylor of Montserrado and Bong Counties respectively.