The National Elections Commission (NEC) says its attention has been drawn to a recent statement made by Mr. Milton Teahjay in which he accused the Commission of meddling in the internal affairs of the Congress for Democratic Change.

According to a press statement, NEC says amongst other things, Mr. Teahjay erroneously stated that Elections Commissions around the world have nothing to do with the change of leadership of political parties; this claim by Mr. Teahjay is false and misleading.

NEC says Elections Management Body (EMB) as bodies charged with the responsibility to regulate the activities of political parties, around the world have a responsibility to ensure that political parties operate within the confines of their by-laws and constitutions.    

The NEC therefore maintains that need for activities of a political party be consistent with its by-laws and constitution at all times cannot be overemphasized.

In its press statement, it noted that one of the cardinal reasons why by-law and constitution is among the paramount requirements for the registration of a political party is for the Commission to ensure that a political party conducts its affairs within the parameters of the party by-laws and constitution.  

In its efforts to set the record straight, it pointed out that in a letter dated 27 March 2008, Mr. Eugene Nagbe, Secretary General of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), informed the NEC that Mr. Joshua Sackie, Acting National Chairman of the CDC, had resigned and that the Executive Committee had taken a decision to appoint Mrs. Geraldine Doe-Sheriff as the new Acting National Chairman.

	• Milton Teahjay

According to NEC, in a contrary letter dated 1 April 2008, Mr. Joshua Sackie said he had at no time resigned his position as Acting Chairman of the CDC, and that he remains the constitutional Acting Chairman of the party pending convention informed it.

According to the body, based on the reason provided for the ascendancy of Mrs. Geraldine Doe-Sheriff and the counter argument put forward by Mr. Sackie, the NEC decided to refer to the constitution of the CDC in an effort to arrive at an informed decision relative to the emerging leadership crisis.

Section 86 of the CDC constitution states that, “In the absence or incapacity of the National Chairperson, the Vice Chairman for Administration shall assume his or her functions.

This line of succession continues with the Vice Chairman/Operations, Vice Chairman/Finance and investment, the Secretary General and so on pending any decision of NCC in the absence of the NC or special session thereof, to fill vacancies”.

Against this backdrop, NEC says it could not recognize Mrs. Doe-Sheriff while Mr. Sackie was still contending his alleged resignation. For to do so, was tantamount to the NEC taking side in the crisis.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) therefore did what is legally prudent and in line with the principle of neutrality. The NEC pointed out that it could have ignored Mr. Teahjay, but it is constrained to comment for the benefit of the public who need to know the other side of the story.

The Board of Commissioners consist of credible individuals of solid reputation; a fact to which many Liberians can attest. NEC says Mr. Teahjay’s accusation that the NEC is meddling in the internal affairs of the CDC was made out of ignorance and misinformation.

Finally, the National Elections Commission (NEC) wishes to assure the Liberian people that it will continue to execute its duties without fear or favour.

Angry Students Vandalized School - Hold School Principal Hostage

This paper has reliably learnt that students of the Careysburg High School in Careysburg, Montserrado County on Friday vandalized the school and held the principal and some teachers hostage.

The students took the action to protest the failure of their teachers to attend classes This was disclosed on Monday by the District Representative in the legislature, Richard Holder during a meeting with the district educational office, principal and some teachers of the institution at the Capitol Building

He said teachers of the Careysburg High School have not been to class for the past weeks in demand of four month salaries arrears. This action led to the students going amok and vandalizing the school.

Rep Holder said it is frustrating that the students had to go to the extreme by engaging in violent acts rather then channeling their grievances through peaceful means.

The Montserrado County Lawmaker who chairs the House Standing Committee on Internal Affairs apologized to the school administration for the behavior of the students, and called on the protesting students to be patient as he was pursuing the issue with authorities at the Ministry of Education.

He warned the students to desist from violence and other acts that have the propensity to derail the learning process in the district. Other report says the situation was brought under control with the intervention of Mr. Benoni Urey and others.

Mobs Burned Witch, Wizards’ Homes
By J. Nathaniel Daygbor

Reports gathered by this paper indicate that the homes of people accused of witchcrafts activities were burned down by angry residents following their release on the orders of Solicitor General, Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe.

	• Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe

The accused were reportedly chased out of the town by angry residents, most of them are youths. Some times ago, four persons were arrested in connection with the disappearance of Yonjay Togba in Manneh Town, Timbo District, Rivercess County.

Those arrested included the paramount Chief Dixon Nyeneh, his wife Mowee Dixon, Jay Payleh, and Nyensieh Woen. However, during his visit, Cllr. Gongloe reportedly ordered their release on grounds of the lack of evidence against them was not enough.

He is quoted as saying that the practice of using Iron Wood Bark as ordeal is no longer acceptable in the country. According the Program Director of the Rivercess Radio, Perry Chea, the accused were resisted by the youths of the Beach Town.

He said the youths demanded that the accused with their families to leave the town, and threatened to take further action if they did not comply with the demand.

He noted that the local authority ordered the arrest of those involved in the mob justice and nine persons have so far arrest and are awaiting prosecution.

He said Yonjay Togba went missing about two months ago, but the person who conducted the ordeal said Yonjay was offered as sacrifice by his relatives but stopped short of saying names.