IPNEWS: Intense Pressure is now mounting for the publication of the final voter roll by the National Elections Commission.
Last week, the opposition Unity Party threatened unspecified actions if the NEC does not immediately publish the final voter roll for the ensuing general Legislative and presidential elections in Liberia expected within the next 15days.
The NEC’s Voter Regulations for 2023 explicitly mandate that the final voter roll must be published at least 30 days before the scheduled elections.
“It is for this reason that Section 16.7 of the 2023 Voter Regulations clearly states that the final voters’ role cannot be altered by the National Election Commission within 30 days prior to an election, except when the Supreme Court orders.”
On Friday, September 22,2023, Partisans and supporters of the opposition Unity Party Alliance are demanding the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the immediate publication of the Final Registration Roll (FRR) to allow political parties and stakeholders have access to the document before elections are held on October 10, this year.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with some commissioners of the electoral body, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County, explained that the Chairperson of the Commission, Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansanah, in her usual “unruly” behavior walked out on them while they were already in the office to speak with her. He said Madam Brown-Lansanah then instructed some of the commissioners to speak with them. Sen. Dillon, who is also the Campaign Manager of the UP Alliance, told newsmen and women, that the NEC is not certain about the publication of the FRR.
The opposition Senator indicated that there is a need for more pressure on the Commission since it has reneged on its constitutional responsibility and with such posture one can deduce what the NEC has another plan than conducting free, fair and transparent elections comes October 10, 2023.
Several partisans and supporters of the opposition Unity Party Alliance were visible including Mr. Amos Tweh, Secretary General, Sylvester Wonplue, Chairman, Young Congress of Montserrado County, among others.
At this point, political pundits believe that this is a deliberate attempt by the NEC to rig the elections in favor of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
It can be recalled that three weeks ago, Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansanah appeared before the Liberian Senate to address concerns surrounding the conduct of elections in October 2023.
The Chairperson of the Commission told the Senate that the total amount needed was not yet made available and at the same indicated that as it stands there was no money to conduct any run-off election if no political party wins the fifty plus one vote threshold. Up to date, it is not clear whether the NEC has received in its account the full amount needed to conduct the upcoming polls in Liberia.
According to the amended Elections Laws of 2024, the Commission shall publish the Final Registration Roll 30 days prior to the casting of ballots, but as it seems, the NEC has 18 more days to elections and this singular provision of the election law is not implemented with less than three weeks to election.
The Montserrado County Youth Chairman, Mr. Sylvester Wonplue is calling on the United Nations, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders involved in the electoral process to intervene in the looming threat to the upcoming elections in the country. He said an attempt to thwart the democratic will of the people will not be tolerated by the peace-loving people of Liberia.
Apart from the Unity Party, the Liberia National Union, political leader, Dr. Clarence Moniba of Linu has also condemned the National Election Commission’s continued violation of Electoral Laws Liberia.
Dr. Moniba, stated that he considers the continued delays by the National Elections Commission as a grave violation of Liberia’s electoral laws, and questions the transparency and fairness of the upcoming October 10th elections.
“The NEC must explain to the Liberian people why they have failed to meet this fundamental legal requirement. We demand answers, and we demand them now,” Dr. Moniba asserted during the press conference.
He continued, “The truth is that the National Election Commission’s action is a recipe for chaos and undermines our democratic principles.”
The final voter roll is a critical component of a transparent electoral process, as it allows candidates, political parties, and the electorate to verify its accuracy and identify any irregularities. The regulations clearly stipulate that the NEC cannot alter the final voter roll within 30 days prior to an election, except under a Supreme Court order.
Dr. Moniba insisted that the NEC’s delay in releasing the voter roll is inexcusable and raises suspicions of possible electoral malpractice, fraud, and manipulation in favor of the incumbent President Weah, who is seeking reelection.
