The New Dawn Liberia | Truly Independent

The National Elections Commission or NEC has announced ongoing preparations for the conduct of Representative By-Election in Montserrado County Electoral District #8 on July 3, 2012.

The By-election is intended to fill the vacancy created on March 16, 2012 as a result of the death of Representative Moses Saah Tandapolie of the Congress for Democratic Change or CDC.

The CDC lawmaker died last month while attending a Legislative Retreat in Gbarnga, Bong County along with fellow lawmakers of the 53rd Liberian Legislature.

Skepticisms characterized the initial autopsy report conducted on his remains. The controversies still live on pending the final autopsy report from the Philippines Police Hospital which was expected within two weeks.

Notwithstanding, the NEC electoral timetable for the by-election revealed that ballot papers and forms will arrive in Monrovia on June 24, 2012, while a writ of Elections was issued Wednesday at the Gardnerville Town Hall.

The NEC also authorized its Montserrado County Upper and Lower Magistrates James K. Cordor and Vopea S. Gongloe to proceed with the conduct of the Representative By-Election in District #11.

Consistent with Section 4.3 (2) of the New Elections Law of 1986, the writ of election was issued simultaneously along with the electoral timetable at the Gardnerville Town Hall.

NEC

Acting Co-Chairman Jonathan Weedor said the decision was in consonance with Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution which mandates the Presiding Officer of the Legislature to notify the NEC within 30 days in case of vancy created as a result of death, resignation and expulsion. According to him, the NEC shall conduct the election within 90 days and not later.

The NEC, partnering with the UNDP, as well as IFES and UMIL, promised to remain engaged with political parties, alliances and coalitions, independent candidates and civil society organizations to ensure a smooth and transparent exercise.

The district’s final registration roll of 2011 consists of 33,811 registered voters, 20 voting precincts and 78 polling places, NEC said. The Commission emphasized that candidates must live not less than one year in the district prior to the election.