By: Emmanuel wise Jipoh
At least over 2.4 million Liberians are expected to participate in the upcoming October 10 presidential and legislative polls, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced Wednesday, August 2.
Of the total figure, One- Million- Two- Hundred- Thirty- Seven- Thousands- Two- Hundred and Fifty- Seven (1,237,257) are females, and One- Million- Two- Hundred- Thirty- Four – Thousands- Three- Hundred and Sixty- (1,234,360) are Males.
Liberians are expected to vote using the biometric system for the first time in this crucial election migrating from the manual system.
NEC Chairperson Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah, briefing Prospective Presidential Candidates on the electoral process updates on Wednesday, disclosed that of the (2,498,904) registrants there were 27,192 duplicated records, created by 3,634 persons who registered more than once or dis multiple registrations.
She further told aspirants that 5,029 suspected underage registrants were also scratched out from the final figure of eligible voters.
The figures were released following the conduct of the Biometric Voters Registration (BVR) exercises conducted across the country from 20th March 2023- 14th May 2023.
The names of registered voters were exhibited throughout the country for objections, or corrections of misspelled names or identification from the 12-17th June 2023 for ordinary Citizens and from the 13-17th July 2023, for political parties and independent aspirants as mandated by law.
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Madam Lansanah also disclosed 20 Presidential Candidates are qualified and certificated to contest the October 10, Poll. She assured the Government of Liberia (GOL) of commitments and complications in fully financing the elections.
She acknowledged that despite series of challenges facing the Commission, especially road connectivity across the Country, the NEC is committed to carrying out Free- Fair- Transparent and Credible elections in Liberia and has already commerce the distribution of elections Materials to far to reach Counties, in an effort to be on course with the timeline of the elections.
The NEC Chairperson at the same time commended the aspirants and political parties for their commitments in signing the Farmington 2023 Declarations agreement that will allow a free-fair and transparent electoral process, free of violence.
She announced the launch of the Civic Voters Education (CVE) for 2023, October 10 Presidential and Legislative Elections, while noting that the official political Campaign activities will be announced and commenced on 5th August 2023, likewise the Publication of all eligible Candidates that will participate in the elections.
For his part Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, Jr., assured full Security Protections for Candidates, political activities doing the entire electoral process, He reaffirms government commitments to providing private security for candidates as well as on the overall Campaigns and elections processes.
