The opposition Unity Party (UP) has petitioned for a Writ of Mandamus before the Honorable Supreme Court, in the wake of what they see as delay by the National Elections Commissio (NEC)- to publish the Final Registration Roll(FRR).
“AND NOw COMES. PETIIONER, in the above entitled proceedings most
respectfuly prays Your Honor for the issuance of the mondatory WRIT OF
MANDAMUS cornpeling the within named Respondent to perform its specified legal dutles fo have the Final Registration Rol of certifed voters by location published and distributed for Political Parties and independent Candidates and for legai reasons.”
Mandamus is a judicial remedy in the form of an order from a court[1] to any government, subordinate court, corporation, or public authority, to do (or forbear from doing) some specific act which that body is obliged under law to do (or refrain from doing), and which is in the nature of public duty, and in certain cases one of a statutory duty.
However, It cannot be issued to compel an authority to do something against statutory provision.
Mandamus may be a command to do an administrative action or not to take a particular action, and it is supplemented by legal rights.
Amid recent concerns about the publication of the of the final voter roll by the National Elections Commission (NEC), Montseraado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon recently said the electoral body doesn’t seem to be ready, as they have asked their stakeholders for indefinite time to address the issue.
On Friday, September 22, 2023, supporters of the opposition Unity Party (UP) gathered at the Headquarters of the National Elections Commission (NEC), in an endeavor to know the status of the publication of the final list of the voter roll, by the Commission (NEC).
“We need to increase the temper and pressure on the Elections Commission to ensure that the final voter roll will be published, and submitted to political actors and stakeholders.”
Senator Dillon added, “The discussion in there inform us that instead of Tuesday they were insinuating or suggesting, they are asking for indefinite time,” Senator Dillon told reporters mid Friday, September 22, 2023.
He further stated, “Elections is three weeks from now and the Elections Commission say within one week, there is no guarantee that the final voter roll will be submitted. If this is not concerning, then I don’t know what is even more concerning.”
In his opinion, “Davidetta Browne is very unprofessional, something is hunting this lady and the country will suffer it. We want to say to our people, that the Elections Commission doesn’t seem to be ready, even the remaining of the funding, 3.2million have not been received yet by the Elections Commission.”
He said the amount in question is significant for the conduct of a possible runoff. However, said amount has not been made to the Commission.
Moreover, Senator Dillon vowed to rally his colleagues at the Senate, to ensure that the funding is made available to the National Elections Commission (NEC).
“The Elections Commission is under obligation to erase any perception of cheating or intend to do vote rigging. If you have technical issues, be professional, be proactive with the information. In fact, invite stakeholders.”
The opposition lawmaker said it is expected of the Commission to communicate with its stakeholders, and have them informed about their challenges if there is any.
This, he believes, will ensure the existence of a smooth corporation between the Commission and its stakeholders, and erase perception of possible rigging or malpractice.
Howbeit, the Montserrado County Senator is suspecting that the Commission is exhibiting delay, to incorporate illegal holders of the biometric voter registration cards.
With this, he said the easiest way to address said issue at the moment is continuous engagements with the commission and legal action.
