– Calls on UN, ECOWAS, Others
Seykajipo Amegashie writes
Partisans and supporters of the opposition Unity Party Alliance on early Friday, September 22nd morning engaged the offices of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to demand 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 been 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.
