IPNews-Monrovia:The Conduct of the October 13, 2020 Midterm Senatorial election has overtaken the debates in many quarters, amid the rapid spread of the deadly Covid-19 in the Country.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) through the Executive has requested a proposed postponement of the polls from October to December 2020.

The NEC justifies that the proposed change is centered on the outbreak of COVID-19, and a subsequent shutdown of major activities around the World.

Further, the Commission noted that it has been impossible for international and local venders to produce essential materials to jump-start the processes leading to the conduct of the October polls due to COVID-19.

The Commission said since some of major producing Countries are gradually leading to normality, it is hopeful for the conduct of the Senatorial election, but a readjustment to conduct the election in December will give room for adequate preparation.

Appearing Wednesday at a hearing arranged by the Senate statutory Committee on Judiciary, Claims and Petition, three of the Major opposition political parties described the proposed postponement requested by the ruling Party as contravention of the Country’s constitution of 1986.

“This is dangerous for our democracy, it is a glaring fact that this government has refused to fund the upcoming election, and are now shafting it on COVID-19” An Executive of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC), Horatio Gould told the hearing.

The ANC Chairman emeritus said the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) will not be parts of the decisions of the Board of the Commissioners to grossly violate the Country Organic Law, as well as the Electoral Law.

Article 83 of the 1986 Constitution states: “Voting for President, Vice President, Members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives shall be conducted throughout the Republic on the second Thursday in October of each election year”.

In the instant case, 15 of the 30 Senators elected in October 2011, are expected to go for re-election on October 13, 2020 before the expiration of their tenure on January 11, 2021.

Also speaking, an Executive of the Unity Party (UP) Atty. J. Cole Bangalu noted that the changing of the constitutional date of this year’s senatorial election is harmful and undermined the democratic practices of the Country.

Atty. Bangalu argued that the NEC failed to have consultations with political party actors with respect to the proposed changes.

Cole at the same time accused the NEC of not cleaning the controversial Voter Roll (VR), citing reference to the Supreme ruling in 2017 for the cleaning of the VR.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the All Liberian Party (ALP), Mr. Thelo Momo indicated that any proposed change to the constitutional date of election should meet the consent of the political parties because the parties are major players to every national election.

The ANC Chairman said the change been proposed, if accepted creates grounds for subsequent violation of the constitution by the current government, expressing fear of the 2023 Presidential election.

At the same time, the Ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) said it accept the proposed change from October to December, but warned against holing the midterm beyond 2020.

CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu indicated that the ruling party supports the adjustment due to the health crisis in the Country, but any attempt to push the election to 2021 will be harmful to the country’s democracy, noting that if such is allowed, 15 of the 30 Senators will be sitting unlawfully.

Morlu pointed to the 2014 Special Senatorial election as a precedent case in which the October constitutional timeframe for the holding of the polls was adjusted to December due to the deadly EBOLA Virus in the Country.

In response, the Acting Chairperson of the NEC, Cllr. Davidetta Brown-Lasanah clarified that Commission has been in close consultations with political parties, and that the cleaning of the VR was done with the involvement of political party actors.

According to the Acting NEC boss, the Commission is prepared to conduct the election in December based on approval from health authorities.

The December date been proposed, she said will give the Commission adequate time to prepare for the election, taking into considerations major processes leading to the conduct of the polls.

In conclusion, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Cllr. Varney G. Sherman also warned against the holding of the midterm Senatorial election beyond 2020.

Cllr. Sherman pointed out that it is necessary for the Committee to solicit the suggestions of all actors to the election, so as to place the Senate in a better position to make an informed decision.

The Committee is expected to hold similar hearing with Civil Society Actors this Friday, with respect to the subject been discussed.