It would cost US$58,014 (fifty-eight thousand fourteen United States dollars to recount disputed votes in Rivercess County, Davidetta Browne Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission told reporters Friday in Monrovia.
She said the budget was submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning after NEC’s Board of Commissioners agreed to recount the ballots in 104 polling places in the county.
This was a preemptive action ahead of Supreme Court ruling on the matter since Government’s sourcing of funds to the NEC requires sufficient time for the electoral body to receive the fund for prompt implementation of scheduled tasks, she said.
The Chairperson’s statement was in reaction to media reports and public discussion that authorities of the National Port Authority (NPA) have offered to give NEC US$40,000 to underwrite the Rivercess ballots recount cost.
“Authorities of the NPA or anyone have never approached the NEC on such issue,” She clarified.
“The NEC does not receive funds for electoral activities from private entities or individual citizens.
“Funding for elections is the sole responsibility of the Government of Liberia, which sometimes requests donor partners to assist the Commission.
“The NEC assures you of its continued commitment to administering all electoral activities in credible, transparent, and accountable manner, guided fully by the constitution and electoral laws. The NEC will do nothing, whatsoever, to circumvent these laws.
