Liberia's president Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has suspended the head of the country's electoral commission amid allegations of corruption.
Mrs Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Liberia has been accused of lacking accountability by a section of her staff who have been staging protests, demanding her resignation for months.
She is also accused of taking administrative decisions without following proper procedure.
The Government instituted an investigation into the matter following several protests through a committee sanctioned by President Boakai.
A statement from the Presidency said Browne-Lansanah was found to have violated the country’s electoral laws, hence the decision to suspend her indefinitely.
The Government statement signed by Presidential Press Secretary, Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana, said she took unilateral decisions that had the effect of undermining the integrity of the Commission, citing her action in closing the NEC office and dismissing 25 employees without the knowledge or approval of the NEC Board of Commissioners.
“While the committee constituted to investigate the grievances of NEC workers was actively addressing the matter, Madam Browne-Lansanah took precipitous and unilateral actions, thereby undermining the integrity and stability of the institution,” the statement said.
President Boakai, according to the statement, was also concerned that Brown-Lansanah's actions could adversely impact the Electoral Commission's ability to conduct by-elections scheduled within the next two months, while also creating a toxic working environment within the Commission.
Browne-Lansanah has been in office since April 2020, having been appointed by former President George Weah.
She presided over the 2023 elections that saw Boakai defeated the then incumbent - Weah. Those elections, despite been largely considered as credible, their aftermath have been overshadowed by allegations of financial misappropriation, much of which is blamed on the leadership style of the suspended NEC boss.
Accountability campaigners say her suspension provides an opportunity for much needed reform at the Commission whose head is seen as wielding too much power and control.
