Liberians wait for a final decision on the validity of the October 10 election. Front Page Africareports today that a NEC hearing officer has dismissed the complaint of electoral fraud filed on October 23 by the Liberty Party and the Unity Party. FPA – NEC Hearing Officer Dismisses Fraud Complaint Hearing Officer Muana Ville reportedly ruled that evidence presented at hearings did not establish fraud. His decision can be appealed to the NEC’s Board of Commissioners within 48 hours. Liberia’s constitution and electoral law gives the National Election Commission up to 30 days, or November 22, to make a final decision on the complaint. The final NEC decision is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court, which would have up to 21 days to make a final decision. Hanging in the balance is the anticipated RUN-OFF election between George Weah and Joe Boakai, originally scheduled for November 7. Invalidating the October 10 election could present a constitutional crisis since the term of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf expires on January 22, well before the 90 days required by the Constitution for a RE-RUN of the election. On the other hand a RUN-OFF election between Boakai and Weah must be organized within 30 days and could conceivably be organized before the end of Sirleaf’s term.
