By Vaye Abel Lepolu
MONROVIA, Liberia— Concerned alumni of the University of Liberia Alumni Association (AAUL) have called for sweeping electoral reforms, independent oversight, and strict adherence to the Association’s Constitution ahead of its December 2026 elections, raising concerns over the prolonged acting leadership of Martin Wleh Pennie.
In a position statement issued on November 4, 2026, by Chairman Mr. Moses Carter and the secretary General J. Blio B. Tingban of the concerned alumni said their participation in the upcoming electoral process remains firm, but stressed that the elections must be free, fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful.
They said that the Association’s constitutional provisions on leadership tenure and electoral procedures must be respected, warning that no individual or group should be allowed to operate above the governing instrument of the organization.
The group maintained that their concerns are rooted in the need to restore constitutional order, strengthen institutional accountability, and protect the integrity of the Association.
The concerned alumni said the tenure of officers elected in 2019 expired in 2021, based on Article VIII, Section 8 of the AAUL Constitution, which provides for a two-year term of office, with eligibility for one additional term.
According to the them, the Constitution requires elections to be conducted during the Annual General Assembly of each election year, citing Article VIII, Section 4.
On behalf the group both Chairperson and the Security General acknowledged that Pennie, who served as Vice President for Administration, assumed acting leadership following the death of former President James S. Davis on January 3, 2021.
However, the group stated that Article V, Section 2(2), which allows the Vice President for Administration to act as President until a new president is elected, does not authorize an indefinite extension of the acting arrangement.
“An acting arrangement is a bridge to legitimate leadership, not a substitute for it,” they emphasized.
The concerned alumni questioned what specific constitutional provision permits an acting president to remain in office indefinitely after the expiration of the elected officers’ tenure.
They said the alumni community deserves a clear constitutional explanation for the prolonged leadership arrangement, which they believe has undermined confidence in the Association’s governance.
The statement also raised concerns about the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission responsible for overseeing the December elections.
The concerned alumni noted that Article VIII, Section 3 of the AAUL Constitution gives the Election Commission significant responsibilities, including establishing electoral rules and determining candidate eligibility, while Section 4 addresses the invitation of election observers.
They alleged that personal and social relationships exist between the Election Commission Chairperson and Pennie, adding that both are reportedly associated with “The Shrine,” a social club on the Capitol Hill Campus.
The group further claimed that the Chairperson of the 2026 AGA Coordination Committee is the president of the same social club, which it said is publicly associated with support for Pennie.
The alumni, however, clarified that social relationships and membership in an organization do not automatically establish wrongdoing or prove a lack of impartiality.
Nevertheless, they argued that the appearance of impartiality is equally important in an election involving competing candidates.
“Public confidence depends not only on the integrity of those administering an election but also on the reasonable appearance of independence from the candidates and their interests,” the statement said.
The group stressed that the credibility of the December elections must not be based on assumptions but on demonstrable independence, fairness, and transparency.
In an effort to ensure a credible electoral process, the concerned alumni proposed eight recommendations aimed at strengthening transparency and institutional accountability.
Among the key recommendations is the immediate reconstitution of the Election Commission, considering the special nature of the 2026 elections.
The group proposed that a special commission comprising members agreed upon at the October 20, 2026, meeting convened and chaired by University of Liberia President Dr. Layli Maparyan be established.
They also called for the formal engagement of the AAUL Advisory Council, as provided for under Article VI of the Constitution, to observe and provide oversight of the electoral process.
The alumni further recommended that the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC) be formally invited to observe the December elections in accordance with Article VIII, Section 4.
According to the statement, the involvement of the NEC would provide an additional layer of independent observation and help strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
The group also called for the public dissemination of electoral guidelines, candidate eligibility requirements, voter registration procedures, voting arrangements, and complaints-resolution mechanisms well ahead of the elections.
The concerned alumni emphasized the need for equal treatment of all aspirants, urging the Election Commission to ensure that no candidate receives undue advantage.
They called for fair access to electoral information and equal opportunities for all candidates to participate without intimidation or discrimination.
The group also recommended that the final voters’ register be made available to eligible stakeholders sufficiently in advance of the elections.
It further stressed that voting, counting, verification, and announcement of results must be conducted transparently and properly documented.
The alumni also endorsed the identification of three independent observers recommended by the University of Liberia President through consultation with relevant stakeholders, insisting that the observers must be allowed to perform their duties without interference.
Despite their constitutional concerns, the concerned alumni said they remain prepared to participate in the December 2026 electoral process, emphasizing that the unity and institutional survival of the Association must take precedence over personal differences and political ambitions.
They clarified that their participation should not be interpreted as abandoning their constitutional objections or endorsing every decision taken by the current leadership.
“We are not seeking to tear down the Association. We are seeking to restore it to the constitutional principles upon which it was founded,” the statement noted.
The group said the Association must serve as a model of democratic governance, accountability, and responsible leadership for future generations of University of Liberia graduates.
It also urged the incoming leadership to prioritize comprehensive constitutional reforms following the elections, particularly in areas relating to electoral procedures, leadership succession, quorum requirements, and mechanisms for resolving institutional disputes.
According to the concerned alumni, such reforms are necessary to prevent a recurrence of the prolonged leadership uncertainty that has weakened confidence in the Association.
In their concluding remarks, the concerned alumni reminded members that the University of Liberia’s motto, “Lux in Tenebris” — Light in Darkness — must be reflected in the conduct and leadership of the Association.
They said accountability, transparency, constitutional compliance, and reconciliation must remain central to the Association’s operations.
The alumni reaffirmed their readiness to participate in the elections, work together, and support a peaceful transition while continuing to advocate for institutional reform.
They warned that the AAUL Constitution must not be invoked selectively but must serve as the governing standard for all members, regardless of position, ambition, friendship, or influence.
The statement concluded with a call for unity and institutional renewal, declaring:
“One University. One Alumni Association. One Common Agenda.”
