City Court sends 6 to prison for voters’ card fraud

By: Kruah Thompson

Monrovia City Court Stipendiary Magistrate Ben Barco has taken a firm stance against electoral fraud by sending six men to the Monrovia Central prison for alleged crimes of fraudulent voter’s card registration.

The men were accused of attempting to deceive the electoral process by falsifying voter identification cards, a serious offense that could have far-reaching consequences for the democratic process.

The City Court Judge’s actions were triggered by preliminary investigative reports forwarded to the court by the Liberia national police.

Those arrested by the LNP are Prince Wur, Peter Kine, Peter Konneh, Prince Morris, Kpanbah Fahn, and Morris Fardolo, in District #8 Montserrado County.

It can be recalled that the National Election Commission on March 20, 2023, commenced the voter registration process in Montserrado and five other counties for Liberian eligible voters 18yrs and above to register to obtain an NEC voter’s card ahead of the October 10 polls.

The police in their investigative report revealed that six defendants went to their various centers in the district on Sunday, 26 March, where they obtained voter cards.

Accordingly, the police added that the defendants on the following day went back to the same center in an attempt to obtain another voter’s registration card.

The police chargesheet indicated that the defendants provided their personal information to NEC officers assigned at the said center. When their information was logged into the system, it was uncovered that the defendant Peter Kaine and others had already received voters’ cards.

Meanwhile, the LPN has charged the defendants with the crimes of fraudulent registration and criminal attempt which the police said violates 10.2 [1] paragraph C of the new elections law, while a criminal attempt violates Chapter 10 Section 10.1 pending court trial.

The swift action taken by the Magistrate sends a clear message that electoral fraud will not be tolerated in Monrovia and that those found guilty of such crimes will be held accountable.