The National Elections Commission (NEC) has declared that there will absolutely be no extension of the on-going biometric voter registration (BVR) in the Phase One counties of Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Bomi and Gbarpolu.
Speaking at a news conference Friday, Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansannah clarified that the contract end date of April 17, 2023 for temporary BVR staff does not in any way indicate that voter registration in the Phase One counties will be extended beyond April 9, 2023. She said the contract is a generic one drawn for one month, from March 18, 2023 to April 17, 2023.
The Chairperson said the eight days from April 9 to April 17 will be used for temporary BVR staff to compile reports, retrieval of equipment and materials deployed in the field, and processing of payment for staff.
“Let me reiterate that the BVR in Phase One ends on April 9, 2023 and there will be no extension,” Browne Lansanah emphatically declared.
She urged Liberians 18 years and above to use the remaining 9 days to complete their registration, and assured that more voter cards will be deployed at registration centers to ensure that eligible voters are registered.
Chairperson Browne Lansannah said there is no need for eligible voters in the Phase One counties to panic, as those who show up at the registration centers within the period will be registered.
Meanwhile, NEC has terminated the services of Antoinette Yancy, one of its temporary staff, who served as a registrar at the Namuwa English and Arabic School in District #10. Her service was terminated for acts inimical to her status as a BVR staff.
Yancy was terminated following an investigation that established her involvement in activities that had the propensity of undermining the integrity and credibility of the commission.