The Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC) has affirmed the ruling of the Chief Dispute Hearing Officer in the Appeal of Preliminary Injunction filed by appellant Korvah M. Jorgbor of the City of Monrovia against Brownie J. Samukai, Appellee.
The unanimous ruling of the Board of Commissioners of NEC confirmed and affirmed the acceptance letter issued to the Co-Appellee Brownie J. Samukai of the Collaborating Political Party, CPP to contest the pending December 8, 2020 Senatorial election.
All seven members of the Board of Commissioners (BOC), Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah, Co-chairperson Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves, Commissioners Boakai A. Dukuly, Cllr. Ernestine Morgan Awar, Floyd Oxley Sayor, Barsee Leo Kpangbai and Josephine Kou Gaye heard the case and signed the ruling.
The case grew out of the appeal action for Preliminary Injunction by appellant Korvah Jorgbor et al of the City of Monrovia as Objectors versus Brownie J. Samukai, first respondent and the Collaborating Political Party, CPP, Intervener-Respondent.
Reading the ruling of the BOC of NEC on Tuesday, 20 October 2020 following arguments by the two parties, the Co-Chairperson of NEC, Cllr. P. Teeplah Reeves, said the acceptance letter of Co-Appellee Brownie J. Samukai of the Collaborating Political Parties, qualifying him and placing his name on the listing of qualified aspirants/candidates to contest the December 8, 2020 Special Senatorial Election in Lofa County, is hereby confirmed and affirmed.
Co-Chairperson Cllr. Reeves said in addition to the Board’s ruling, Section 24.6 of the Criminal Procedure law states that the taking of an appeal shall stay the enforcement of the judgement, sentence or order from which the appeal is taken and arrest all further proceedings pending decision on the appeal.
The NEC Co-Chairperson cites in this case the interpretation of the Supreme Court in Article 20 (b0 of the Liberian Constitution that on “announcement of an appeal, no execution shall issue on a judgement, nor shall any proceeding be taken for its enforcement until final judgement is rendered”.