Open Letter to the National Elections Commission (NEC)

We ask, therefore, that the Commission require sworn statement, made under oath, from candidates seeking election to the Legislature…

The Honorable Chairman & Members
National Elections Commission (NEC)
9th Street, Sinkor/Monrovia

Sir/Madam:

It is our honor to present compliments and sincere greetings, and to commend you for the bold, reasonable action taken in seeking revocation of the charters of some political parties  found to be in violation of relevant governing, constitutional provisions.

Not only that this action is in fulfillment of your constitutional obligation, but also, that it is consistent with national imperative of reduction of the prevailing proliferation of political parties (20-something or more, and counting) in our small nation of less than 4 million people of 17 ethnic/tribal groups, and that some of these political parties were and are being organized and managed not in accordance with traditionally-accepted and practiced convention of “shared beliefs” or commonality of beliefs, policy and political philosophy, but mainly in accordance with and along ethnic/tribal lines.

Moreover, we invite, respectfully, your attention to Article 30 of the Constitution, in light of forthcoming elections for members of the Honorable, National Legislature. This article provides that “Citizens of Liberia . . . are eligible to become members of the Legislature . . .”.

It is an open secret that there are citizens of foreign countries – individuals whose loyalty and allegiance are exclusively made and mortgaged to foreign countries – now members of both Houses of our National Legislature, in flagrant violation of Article 30 of the Constitution.                                                                                          

We ask, therefore, that the Commission require sworn statement, made under oath, from candidates seeking election to the Legislature, that he/she is not citizen of a foreign country.

This requirement is in fulfillment of the Commission’s constitutional obligation; it requires no additional, legal coverage.

Faithfully,
Bai M. Gbala, Sr.