By James A. Boyce
MONROVIA : The National Elections Commission (NEC) has announced that the bye-election for the vacant Senatorial seat for Lofa County will take place on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, thereby issuing a writ of assignment to the electoral magistrates for Lofa County in keeping with the electoral laws of Liberia.
Making the disclosure on Friday, March 18, 2022 at the Headquarters of the electoral body, the NEC Executive Chairperson, Cllr. Davidetta Browne-Lassanah, said her institution received a notification from the Liberian Senate on 16th February, 2022, informing them of a vacancy in the upper chambers of the national legislature in Lofa as the result of court rulings which convicted former Minister of Defense, Brownie J. Samukai, which disqualified him from taking up the seat he had earlier won during the December 8, 2020 Special Midterm Senatorial election.
Chairman Lassanah said that the electoral umpire will conduct the bye- election which is a critical support of the democratic role the NEC plays by ensuring that the state continues to stand for the people, by the people and of the people; and that the Commission is an important institution in democratizing Liberia.
The holding of the bye-election in Lofa County is in accordance with Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution, which mandates the National Elections Commission to conduct elections, stating that “In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days notify the Election Commission thereof provided that where such vacancy occurs within the 90 days prior to the holding of such general election”.
According to the NEC boss, in keeping with the constitutional provision, she has mandated the Commission’s Clerk to issue an elections writ to the assigned elections magistrates of Lower and Upper Lofa County in their respective assigned areas and that the same election will be held on the 10th day of May, 2022 from the hour of 8:00 anti meridian to 6:00 post meridian, and that they shall sanctify the Commission by endorsement upon the results of the election at the close of counting of votes as in a form and manner they execute said mandate.
Meanwhile, Madam Lassanah stated that “the last day for nomination of Aspirants by registered Political Parties, Alliances, Collations, and or Independent Aspirants for the said bye- election shall end on the 1st day of April 2022 at 5:00 post meridian”.
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