More than 20 staff members of Liberia’s National Election Commission (NEC) have reportedly been dismissed following a sit-in protest demanding unpaid insurance and benefits from the 2023 General Elections.
The protesting staffers also raised allegations of corruption within the Commission, claiming that over $8 million allocated for employee benefits remains unaccounted for. The protests intensified calls for the removal of NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah, whom some protesters accuse of mismanagement.
While the NEC has yet to officially confirm the dismissals, the reported action has sparked criticism from civil society organizations and labor rights groups, who have condemned the move as retaliatory. “Dismissing employees for exercising their right to protest is a grave violation of labor rights,” said a spokesperson for the Center for Democratic Governance.
The dismissed staff reportedly included individuals directly involved in election logistics, raising concerns about potential disruptions to the NEC’s operations ahead of critical post-election processes.
The sit-in protest, which took place at NEC headquarters in Monrovia, highlighted long-standing grievances over poor working conditions and alleged mismanagement of election funds. Employees have called on the government to intervene, demanding an independent audit of the Commission’s financial dealings.