By Bill W. Cooper
The House of Representatives has summoned Finance Minister, Samuel Tweah and the National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson, Davidetta Browne-Lansanah to explain the sources of funding for the conduct of the Senatorial By-election in Lofa County.
The House through a motion from Montserrado County District 6 Representative, Dixon Seboe stated that its decision is based on grounds that it has passed the National Budget without any allotment for the conduct of said election.
Rep. Seboe in his motion stressed, “Taking into consideration that that we and the Liberian Senate have already passed this year’s budget, we cannot act, or do anything, without hearing from the horse’s mouth because if the Budget is passed, then it becomes a law automatically.”
“So it will be prudent that we allow the Ministry of Finance and the National Elections Commission come and inform this body as where they are anticipating the source of income for this by-election; then we as lawmakers can see what next to do but anything other than that, I fear that we will be violating the Constitution of this country,” he further stated.
However, the lawmaker’s decision to summon both Minister Tweah and Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah followed a communication from the NEC to the National Legislature, a budget of US$1,934,720.80 for the conduct of the Lofa County Senatorial by-election.
Madam Browne-Lansanah and Minister Tweah are expected to face the lawmakers this Thursday, March 17, 2022, before it goes for the Easter break.
The budget followed the February 16, 2022 notification from Senate Pro-tempore, Albert Chie to the NEC of the existence of a vacancy at the Liberian Senate for a seat for Lofa County.
The Commission acted upon the notification of a vacancy in the Senate pursuant to Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution which states, “In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature, caused by death, resignation, and expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days notify the National Elections Commission thereof.”
According to the law, the NEC shall not later than 90 days thereafter cause a by-election to be held; provided that where such vacancy occurs within 90 days prior to the holding of general elections, the filling of the vacancy shall await the holding of such general elections.
The Commission has also scheduled May 10, 2022, as the date for the holding of the Lofa County by-election.
