MONROVIA – Mr. Simeon Freeman, political leader of the opposition Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) says there will be an interim government in Liberia if the President George Manneh Weah government refuses to provide funding to the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the conduct of this year October 10 general elections.
It can be recalled, the National Elections Commission (NEC) through Chairperson Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansanah on Thursday, March 9 informed the Liberian Senate that the NEC is yet to receive an initial amount of US$4 Million from the Ministry of Finance to begin the 2023 elections process.
The NEC’s Chairperson appearing before the Senate Plenary clarified that the Ministry of Finance had promised to provide US$4 Million from the allotted US$10 Million for phase one of the processes leading to the conduct of the elections.
Madam Brown-Lansanah further clarified that the Commission earlier submitted a budget of US$91 Million, but it was reduced to US$51 Million following discussions between the Commission and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
But appearing on Prime FM on Friday, Mr. Freeman warned if the government fails to provide the funding for this year’s elections Liberians will pick an interim government that will conduct the affairs of the next election.
“I believe the government should provide funding for the conduct of the elections,” stressed the NPC political leader.
The businessman turned politician further that in every respect, the Weah administration needs to fund the election because, according to him, there’s an increment in the budget, stressing, “As long as there is an increment in the national budget, the government shouldn’t be having a problem with funding the election.
