By Naneka A. Hoffman
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has donated thirty-one Laptops, four Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles and twenty hp LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw Printers to the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Davidetta Browne Lasanah, to ence the work of the Commission.
Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS over the weekend during formal presentation at the National Elections Commission headquarters on 9th Street in Sinkor, the Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, Josephine Nkrumah, said the intervention is to enhance the work of elections technology to drive transparent elections in Liberia.
Madam Nkrumah explained that with this understanding, ECOWAS has collaborated with NEC by donating equipment to strengthen its capacity when it comes to transparency of elections, particularly, collation and transmission of results of the polls.
However, she underscored that it is important that Liberians appreciate the transparency of the electoral process, as they all work towards it.
Madam Nkrumah added that this should drive confidence in the process by helping in tracking, collating and transmitting results to the data center, so that at the end of the day when the Liberian people have made their choice, it will be reflected through technology that they had a peaceful election.
She said it will also provide job opportunity for anyone who may seek redress for irregularity, which they don’t anticipate, but it enables individual or group of persons to provide evidence based on technology and address the matter in the court of law.
She mentioned that the elections are not just a matter for Liberia. But beyond, they are also for peak in the sub-region, adding that this time around, the spotlight is on Liberia.
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“I take this opportunity however, to also call on Liberians, particularly the youth that they will engage in this peaceful process”, she emphasized.
She urged all political parties and political leaders to continue to abide by the Farmington River Declaration.
In response, NEC Chairperson, Davidetta Browne Lasanah, thanked the ECOWAS Commission for the donation, which she described as timely and welcoming.
Madam Browne Lasanah noted that ECOWAS has done a lot over the years to sustain peace in Liberia, adding that they acknowledge ECOWAS again for working to ensure a comfortable lead toward the conduct of free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in Liberia.
