The Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana has clarified that the Suspension of the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Davidetta Browne Lansanah was legal and not Political as claimed around the Political corridors of the Country.
Addressing Executive Mansion Reporters at the regular press briefing Madam Fofana said the decision by the President was taken following findings from an investigative team setup by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
According to her following unending protests at the NEC by aggrieved employees, the President setup an investigative team to look into the matter.
She told Executive Mansion Reporters that the Liberian leader through the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Sylvester Grigsby wrote the suspended NEC boss to withhold her planned decisions ranging from dismissals as well as the shutting down of the offices for a period of one month but madam Lansanah according to Press Secretary Fofana did not allegedly pay heel to the directive as indicated in the letter something among other things prompted her indefinite Suspension.
“Following her alleged refusal, the President was advise and he took the decision “, she reechoed .
Madam Fofana clarified further that the decision by President Boakai has no political link or interference.
Speaking further she pointed out that although the position of Chairperson of the NEC is a tenure one but the President has the legal right to take decision in line with the law and for a just cause, something, she stated was done, even though she did not state the legal provisions.
At the sme time, she stressed that the Liberian leader has initiated discussions at the NEC with the board of Commissioners including the aggrieved employees as findings from these discussions and or conversations will be made known to the public soon.
According to her, President Boakai’s interest is to ensure that the voting house remains stable void of political challenges as well as issues that have the propensity to undermine the independence and integrity of that key institution of government.
“The NEC should remain strong enough and that officials there should work in line with the laws and not in isolation but in consonance and that decisions reached should at times meet the consensus of the rest of the Board of Commissioners” she re-emphasized.
As conversation continues pundits fear that the assurance of Madam Lansanah return to her position appears slim with few months to the conduct of by -election in Nimba County.
In the wake of the situation some aggrieved workers of the NEC have hailed President Boakai for his decision to suspend madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah while others still believe that the decision has more political than legal implications.
However, madam Fofana has since denied and refuted said perception and or claim.
