NEC inspects party offices

The National Elections Commission or NEC has concluded inspection of political parties’ offices in Bong County, Central Liberia ahead of the 2017 presidential and representative elections.

The exercise is intended to ensure registered political parties in the country have actively functional offices in Bong County in line with the electoral law of Liberia. NEC Commissioner with oversight for Bong and Nimba counties, Jonathan Weedor told reporters over the weekend the exercise was executed successfully.

He said during the inspection tour, he noticed only 15 political party offices in Bong County despite more than 20 registered political parties in the country. Commissioner Weedor detail that some of the parties have up to date offices, while others have very deplorable structures as their offices.

He emphasized that political party offices should have all necessary facilities, including bathrooms and conference hall, among others. The NEC Commissioner said some of the parties that fell short of meeting these requirements will be penalized in accordance with law, adding that members of the board of Commissioners will decide appropriate actions to be taken against parties concerned.

Though Commissioner Weeder refused to immediately state names of parties that have dilapidated structures and those with appropriate offices, he said detail information will be disclosed to the public in a comprehensive report.

The All Liberian Party (ALP), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) and the United People’s Party (UPP) are said to be amongst the best offices in the county, while Union of Liberian Democrats (ULD), True Whig Party (TWP) are renting single rooms, others in deplorable facilities.

By Papa Morris-Editing by Jonathan Browne