IPNews-Grand Kru Co.: Credible report from the South-Eastern County, of Grand Kru, says serious controversy has clouded yesterday’s rerun midterm Senatorial Election.

According to the report, the Liberia National Union,(LINU), has filed a formal request for recount of ballots to the National Elections Magistrate, in Grand Kru, after it observed that votes were twist to favor victory for Independent Candidate Numene T.H. Bartekwa, a member also of the Congress for Democratic Change, CDC, who contested as Independent Candidate, after he lost to former Health Minister, Peter Coleman, during its premieres.

Rerun of yesterday’s midterm elections targeted a total of 900 votes in three election precincts.

Yesterday’s, January 13, 2021, rerun took place in three precincts namely: BOLUWIN TOWN, precinct No. 18029, BELOKEN TOWN HALL No. 18050 and WARKPO PULIC SCHOOL precinct No. 18024.

It may be recalled, days before the pronouncement by the NEC, to hold rerun in the disputed precincts, the Liberia National Union stated it would resist attempts by the National Elections Commission to conduct recount of bollots in contested polling precincts in electoral district No. Grand Kru County.

LINU’s Political leader Nathaniel Blama stated that the party has sufficient evidences to substantiate that seals of ballot boxes were broken and pre-marked ballot papers stuffed.

Blama said the refusal by the NEC to conduct rerun as opposed to recount was troubling and an attempt steal genuine votes in favor of LINU candidate Nathaniel N. Bahway.

“Let me sound this as a warning to the NEC. You’ve administered a very peaceful elections. But any attempt to circumvent the will and aspirations of the people through their votes’ has the propensities to undermine the entire outcome of the Elections.” Blama stated.

Earlier IPNews reported an intense tussle between the National Elections Commission-NEC, and officials of the Liberia National Union-LINU, over whether or not votes should be recounted or a rerun conducted in district No. 2, Buluwin Town.

Blama told a major press conference at LINU’s party office , that suspicion of vote wracking in favor of CDC Candidate Dr. Peter Coleman, is a general perception of the Opposition, including Independent Candidates that recently contested in the Grand Kru county, senatorial elections.

LINU Political leader Nathaniel T. Blama vowed to seek the Board of Commissioners, at the NEC for further redress and thereafter to the Supreme Court, if there is no decision to have a re-run.

Nathaniel Blama informed Journalist that NEC’s chairperson Cllr. Davidetta Lansahan has vehemently rejected call by LINU for a rerun, citing legal provisions governing elections and lack of notice by NEC’s Grand Kru county Magistrate for a rerun.

Currently Mr. Nathaniel N. Bahway -LINU, leads with 22.22% , until outcome of yesterday’s, January 13,2021, rerun votes can be announced.

Furthermore, Blama stated that the Opposition Liberia National Union-LINU, is alarmed over vicious intimidation of some of its partisans in Grand Kru County, by officers of the Liberian National Police-LNP,

According to LINU political leader Blama, two of its members, including its Grand Kru County, Chairman, Samson Collins, chairman , and James Wheler, Party Representative, were arrested, intimidated and are now behind bars even after frantic efforts by Public defenders to seek their release from further detention.

The National Elections Commission law for ‘Electoral Justice Processes’, says all ‘challenges and complaints are assessed, investigated and determined according to regulations and procedures issued by the NEC. Critical issues are heard by a chief hearing officer in Monrovia, who makes recommendations to the NEC’s Board of Commissioners. Other issues are investigated, heard and determined by the magistrate, who is assisted by a local hearing officer. An NEC or magistrate decision is published on the premises of the NEC or the magistrate’s office, respectively. A magistrate’s decision can be appealed to the NEC Board of Commissioners within 72 hours.

“A determination by the NEC Board of Commissioners on a complaint can be appealed to the Supreme Court of Liberia no later than 48 hours after the determination is issued. After the final results are announced, complaints may be filed with the NEC; NEC decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court. The judiciary hears and adjudicates any complaint cases against the electoral process that have been appealed to the Supreme Court.”

It may be recalled, on Sunday, December 13, 2020, angry protesters besieged the office of the National Elections Commission in Barclayville City, calling for the unconditional release of actual results from votes counted during the December 8, 2020, midterm Senatorial elections.

The protest broke up after word circulated that the ruling party was contemplating reversing the votes in favor of Dr. Peter Coleman.

Our reporter in Barclayville explained that members of the Opposition block , including independent candidates joined forces in calling for the unconditional release of the results.

Video potage from the scene was alarming, with report that only four officers of the Liberia National Police present to stop the violence.

In a telephone conversation with IPNews, the political leader of the Liberia National Union-LINU, Nathaniel T. Blama, stated that there were consultative plans by the CDC to reverse votes in favor of LINU presumptive winner Nathaniel N. Bahway.

Blama stated that LINU would resist any attempt by the CDC to reverse votes in favor of its candidate even at the level of the Supreme Court of Liberia.

Blama insisted that there is no need to undercut the results of the elections.

Our reporter at the NEC office in Barclay reported the situation intensified with protesters threatening to burn-down building if results are wreck in favor of Senator Peter Coleman of the CDC.

NEC officially release results from Grand Kru county yesterday, December 12,2020, puts Mr. Nathaniel N. Bahway, with a total vote of 22.22%