It was shocking news when Davidetta Brown-Lassana, chairperson of Liberia’s National Elections Commission, announced on Thursday, March 12, 2026, announced that she has taken a decision to resign on 15th March this year after serving in the position for nearly twelve years.
Madam Lassana in a brief statement attributed her planned decision to personal reasons, but some Liberians think her abrupt decision goes beyond personal reasons.
“Permit me to use this platform to say to you that as of the 15th of March 2026, I am stepping down as chairman of the board of the National Elections Commission,” she said. “I have conveyed this to the President’s office and I wait to hear from him,” Lassana said on Thursday at the headquarters of the Commission in the presence of officials of government, civil society organizations and members of the diplomatic corps.
In a formal communication to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Lassana cited family consultations and a personal need for rest after years of public service,
Some insiders have hinted that her planned resignation is triggered by the lack of cordiality between her and some fellow commissioners after the 2025 administrative crisis at the Nation’s electoral commission. That also culminated into her suspension by President Joseph Boakai, but was later reinstated.
For some Liberians, the NEC’s chairperson is just exhausted and wants to rest following the highly contested 2023 national elections that brought current President, Joseph Boakai to state power.
Her planned resignation at this critical moment may create a leadership vacuum at the electoral commission mainly at a time midterm senatorial elections are eighteen months away.
As far as Liberia’s election law is concerned, President Boakai is under obligation to nominate anyone of his choice to complete the remainder of the outgoing chairperson’s term, subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
. Who Will Succeed Her?
Meanwhile, as the public awaits the name of Mrs. Lassana’s replacement, some names have begun to pop up as her possible replacement. Prominent among the names are, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott, who once served in the position before. Scott also served Chief Justice, Minister of Justice and senator of Maryland County.
Former defense minister, Brownie Samukai during the regime of former President Elen Johnson-Sirleaf is also among names on the lips of Liberians for the position.
Also among the names being heard to replace the outgoing NEC chairperson is current civil service director general Josiah Jokai. Whoever becomes the next chairperson of the Country’s National Elections Commission is the prerogative of the President.
-------