MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The National Elections Commission has disclosed that it will need 3.9 Million United States Dollars to conduct the senatorial by-election in Monsterrado and Bong Counties.
The conduct of the by-election in the two counties followed recent victory by Senator George Weah and Jewel Howard Taylor as President and Vice President of the Republic of Liberia respectively.
Addressing a news conference in Monrovia on Monday, NEC Chairman Jerome Kokoya said the amount needed to conduct the by-election was derived as a result of an assessment carried out by a committee constituted by him to conduct t elections in the two counties.
“The Election of two senators as President and Vice President has created a vacuum in both Houses at the National Legislature, with many prominent Citizens wanting to occupy the empty seats, he added”.
According to Chairman Kokoya, since the crafting of the proposed plan and budget already submitted to the Finance Ministry, the Office of the President and the National Legislature there has been no concrete response and assurance given the provision of said amount.
He stated that the by-election in Montserrado and Bong Counties need to be conducted urgently and at such the Government must provide the 3.9 million USD in order for the election to be conducted on time this year.
By Nyentee Togba