GANTA, Nimba – The National Elections Commission on Monday, December 11 ruled that the original October 10 representative elections results for Nimba’s eight electoral district will stand, therefore nullifying the November 4 recount that was conducted in Saclepea.

NEC’s hearing officer, John K. Wonsehlea, declared Saye Mianah as the representative-elect of the district’s elections on December 11, after all parties presented their case.

The decision taken by NEC to nullify the results of the recount followed weeks of investigation over the legality of the recount process filed by the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction candidate, Mianah.

According to Wonsehlea, the basis for which the recount was called by the incumbent, Rep. Larry Younquoi, does not apply to the 2017 elections and, therefore, does not have the any legal grounds under NEC’s approved regulations published in 2016.

Wonsehlea informed all parties to the hearing that the NEC Board Resolution of the 2005 elections runs contrary to the Liberia constitution, which supersedes all laws, and cannot be used for the 2017 elections since it is ineffective.

He ruled that in line with the constitution and election laws, NEC has upheld the results of the October 10 election in which Mianah led by 19 votes over Younquoi.

“Subject to the limitation of conditions set above, any claim by Younquoi not specifically addressed in this decision are dismissed,” he added.

Mianah and supporters who went to witness the final hearing were seen jubilating after NEC ruled to uphold the October 10 results in their favor.

Younquoi has 48 hours to file an appeal to NEC’s Board of Commission over the ruling.

Featured photo courtesy of Amos Wuo/Team Mianah for Success