Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Home of Representatives has endorsed a suggestion from its Joint Committee on Elections and Inaugurations and Judiciary, which requires the fast dissolution of the “Particular Operations Procedures” (SOPS) inside the Nationwide Elections Fee (NEC).
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The choice follows a proper request by Sinoe County District #3 Consultant, Alex S. Noah, who raised issues that the SOPS unit was working exterior the authorized framework of the NEC and lacked statutory authority.
In its detailed report back to plenary, the Joint Committee famous that the NEC, as established by regulation, is an autonomous public physique liable for conducting, supervising, and administering all elections and referenda in Liberia.
The committee pressured that any administrative or operational construction inside the Fee have to be grounded within the Act that created the NEC, emphasizing that any deviation undermines the rule of regulation, transparency, and public belief within the electoral course of.
In line with the report, the SOPS construction was allegedly created and has been working inside the NEC with out authorized backing or clear oversight.
The committee described SOPS as a “parallel and irregular system” that interferes with the Fee’s established chain of command and accountability mechanisms.
Moreover, the joint committee additionally expressed concern that the existence of such a unit poses severe dangers to the integrity of Liberia’s elections, might erode public confidence, and should discourage donor assist for the nation’s democratic processes.
Citing each the Structure and the NEC Act, the lawmakers reaffirmed that unique authority for managing elections rests with the Fee’s Board of Commissioners, not any advert hoc or extra-legal physique. The committee’s report concluded that sustaining the SOPS construction contradicts this constitutional provision and undermines good governance.
As a part of its suggestions, the joint committee proposed that the NEC instantly dissolve the SOPS or any comparable construction working exterior its statutory framework.
It was additionally beneficial that the Fee revert absolutely to its authorized administrative setup as supplied beneath the Act creating it and the Committees on Elections and Inaugurations and Judiciary train oversight to make sure compliance and report again to plenary inside 30 days.
Following deliberations on the ground, the Plenary of the Home of Representatives unanimously endorsed the report in its entirety and resolved to take fast legislative motion to implement compliance.
