Margibi Citizens Want McGill’s Certification Revoked over False Domicile Claim

A group of pro-democracy activists under the banner Concern Youth of Margibi County has petitioned to the National Elections Commission (NEC) to revoke the certification of Nathaniel McGill, the former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.

According to the group, the U.S.-sanctioned former Minister lied to the National Elections Commission about his domicile.

McGill was recently nominated by the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) to contest for Senator of Margibi County. He was subsequently certificated by the National Elections Commission (NEC) as a candidate for the ensuing October 10, 2023, Legislative and Presidential Elections.

Mr. McGill’s certification has now triggered the Concern Youth of Margibi County to file a two-page petition to the NEC, requesting that the body revoke such certification.

The group alleged through its petition, addressed to the Board of Commissioners of the NEC that Mr. McGill is currently domiciled in Montserrado County District Six, contrary to his declaration to the NEC that he resides in Margibi County.  

“We the undersigned Concern Youth of Margibi County, Republic of Liberia do here write with abysmal grief and dismay objecting to the nomination of Hon. Nathaniel Farlo McGill to contest for the post of Senator of Margibi County, Republic of Liberia and request the National Elections Commission (NEC) to reject the nomination of Hon. Nathaniel Farlo McGill, denies his qualification, registration and certification and legal and factual reasons,” the petitioners said.

The Concern Youth of Margibi County said their reliance is based on Article 30 (b) of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, adding that Mr. McGill cannot be domiciled in District Six Montserrado County, and at the same time be domiciled in Margibi County and or any other place in the Republic of Liberia to contest in the ensuing October 10 elections in keeping with the law.

“Our request is based on the false information he provided to the National Elections Commission (NEC) as provided for in His Affidavit of Confirmation of Domicile in which he stated under oath that he’s Domicile in Margibi County, the county of which he wants to represent,” they claimed.   

Article 30 (b) of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, states that “Citizens of Liberia who meet the following qualifications are eligible to become members of the Legislature: a. For the Senate, have attained the age of 30 years and for the House of Representatives have attained the age of 25 years—And b. Be domicile in the county or constituency to be represented not less than one (1) year prior to the election and be a taxpayer.”

Said the group: “That the Supreme Court of Liberia held in the case: the National Patriotic Party (NPP) versus the National Elections Commission (NEC), Supreme Court Opinion decided August 11, 2006, that the term ‘domicile’ as defined by NEC for the purpose of the ensuing Margibi County By-Election in District Two, means “the residence in the constituency of an aspirant or candidate who seeks elective public office in which he lives and pay taxes; for purpose of these regulations such residence shall be a place where habitation is fixed, where an aspirant or candidate has the intention of remaining and to which, whenever he/she is absent, has the intention of returning; The Supreme Court also held the term is also defined as the placed ‘where one habitually eats, sleep and makes one’s home.”

The petitioners furthered that they are relying on the Supreme Court’s Definition/Opinion on domicile to pray the National Elections Commission (NEC) to reject and revoke the nomination of Mr. Nathaniel F. McGill as a candidate for senator of Margibi County in the pending October 10 polls—And appeal to the NEC to grant unto the Concern Youth of Margibi County of any other and further relief as the law, equity and justice deemed in the premises.