ANC Raises Concern Over Weedor’s Nomination as NEC Chair
By Myean D Torgbean
Monrovia, Liberia — The Alternative National Congress (ANC) has expressed “serious caution and deep concern” over the nomination of Mr. Jonathan K. Weedor as Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), citing questions about his independence, neutrality, and credibility.
In a press statement issued Thursday, the opposition party acknowledged Mr. Weedor’s years of service within the NEC but warned that his elevation to the Commission’s top position could undermine public confidence in Liberia’s electoral system.
“The National Elections Commission occupies one of the most sensitive and consequential positions within our democratic architecture,” the ANC said. “The legitimacy of governments and the stability of the Republic depend heavily on public confidence that the NEC operates above politics and partisan loyalty.”
The party pointed to Mr. Weedor’s alleged conduct during the 2023 General and Presidential Elections as a source of concern. According to the ANC, a widely circulated video showed Mr. Weedor celebrating and prematurely declaring a first-round victory for the Unity Party while reportedly serving as a strategist in its “war room”—a claim later contradicted by official NEC results.
“Such actions from a man now expected to chair the NEC risk creating a dangerous perception of political alignment,” the statement noted.
The ANC also raised concerns about what it described as Mr. Weedor’s “open support” for the ruling Unity Party and his perceived closeness to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, warning that such associations could erode trust in the Commission’s independence.
Citing the 1986 Constitution and the National Elections Law, the party emphasized that members of the NEC Board of Commissioners—particularly the Chairperson—must demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, neutrality, and independence.
“Any perception of bias at that level threatens to cast doubt over future elections and risks pushing the country toward unnecessary electoral tension,” the ANC cautioned.
The opposition party is now calling on the Liberian Senate to conduct what it described as a “thorough, fearless, and transparent” vetting process to ensure that the integrity of the NEC is preserved.
“The Senate must ensure that the Commission remains an institution that commands the trust of all political actors and the Liberian people,” the statement added.
The ANC further urged opposition parties, civil society organizations, and democracy advocates to remain vigilant, stressing that the independence of the NEC is “not a partisan issue, but a national democratic imperative.”
“Protecting the credibility of our electoral system today is the surest guarantee of political stability tomorrow,” the party said.
The statement was signed by Cllr. Lafayette E.O. Gould, National Chairman of the ANC, who reaffirmed the party’s commitment to defending democratic principles and promoting free, fair, and credible elections in Liberia.
