The National Elections Commission or NEC issues two separate Elections Writs today, Thursday, 6 September to Elections Magistrates in Montserrado and Sinoe Counties, respectively to conduct by-elections in both counties.
In a press release Wednesday, 5th September, NEC says the Writs of Elections are in fulfillment of two letters of Notifications from the 54th Liberian Legislature, announcing vacant seats in the Liberian Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.
According to the release, the vacancy letter from the House was received on August 23, 2018, while the letter from the Liberian Senate was received on 3rd September, 2018.Both letters are in accordance with Article 37 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.
Article 37 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 Elections Commission thereof. The Elections Commission 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.”
NEC quotes the communication from the Senate as saying, “This letter shall constitute your legal and sufficient authority to conduct a Senatorial By-Election due to the nomination, confirmation and commissioning of Senator Joseph N. Nagbe as Associate Justice of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia.”
The release recalls that Saah Joseph, former Representative for Montserrado County Electoral District#13, and Cllr. Joseph N. Nagbe, former senator of Sinoe County have taken new assignments both in the senate and the Judiciary respectively.
Meanwhile, the Board of Commission of the NEC has appointed its Co-Chairman, Cllr. Sarah Toe and the Director of Training and Procedures Attorney James Wallace to serve as Chairperson and Co-Chairperson respectively on the Steering Committee on these By-Elections in both counties. Press Release
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