Best option for Liberia

The Chairman of the governing Unity Party Wilmot Paye says the legal battle embarked upon by the opposition Liberty Party and other political parties, including a formal complaint before the National Elections Commission filed by the UP are the best options for Liberia that had suffered 14 years of civil war.

Contrary to growing public apprehension here, he says such procedurals cannot create chaos and panic, instead, the political parties involved are testing the legal framework of the country.

“There is no need for fear and panic. Although it is strange in our electioneering period for legal proceedings, but I think it is helpful and the test for our democracy and legal system. Nobody should harbor fear and panic because procedurals have nothing to do with fear,” Chairman Paye maintains in an interview with this paper via mobile phone on Tuesday, 7 November, the date that had been scheduled by the National Elections Commission to conduct the runoff presidential poll.

The Supreme Court of Liberia on Monday granted a prohibition sought by the opposition Liberty Party, halting all political activities and mandating the NEC to expeditiously investigate complaint filed by the party thru its Standard Bearer, Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine.

According to the UP Chairman, the alleged fraud and malpractices from the 2017 Presidential election is a clear indication that Liberians cannot handle their own matter professionally, but there are competent and qualified Liberians, who should have performed better.

The ruling party along with the opposition All Liberian Party and the Alternative National Congress say they are in solidarity with the LP. Standard Bearers of the four parties, including Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai met with the Liberty Party leader Cllr. Brumskine on Tuesday at his party headquarters in Monrovia.

Paye explains that the action of the NEC board of commissioners is a shame and the best option for the electoral house is to swallow its pride and accept the wrongs and right the wrongs in order for the country to move forward.

He however stresses that it is just a matter of time and the motives for the alleged massive fraud will be exposed to the public and the world at large.

He notes that there is an air of uncertainty looming over the political atmosphere of the country due to ongoing political and legal battles.

Responding to comment from Coalition for Democratic Change national youth wing that the Unity Party’s complaint to the NEC is intended to buy time, Paye says the UP is not afraid of competition, recalling that since 2005, it has been victor of elections, so there is no need to be afraid of elections or competition.

“At least for the Unity Party, we don’t make baseless allegation, we don’t attack the home of associate justice, and we don’t create fear for occupants at hotels with militants. We’re a responsible political institution based on principles and values.”

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Editing by Jonathan Browne