By Ethel A. Tweh
The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Grand Kru County Senator Albert T. Chie, describes the just-ended biometric voters registration exercise across the country as successful.
Senator Chie says recent legislative break afforded senators an opportunity to visit their constituents and participate in the BVR process in all fifteen counties.
Speaking Tuesday, 16 May at the opening of the 2nd segment of the 6th session of the 54th Legislature in the chambers of the Liberian Senate, Senator Chie thanked the National Elections Commission for overseeing the process, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for providing funds appropriated by the Legislature to NEC amid many equally important competing priorities.
He also lauds the Ministry of Justice and various security apparatus, including the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Immigration Service for ensuring a peaceful process.
“Nevertheless, the final results of the BVR process may not be what we anticipate in some of the counties due to the challenges of having limited centers far away from towns and villages; hence, the inability of many of our citizens to reach voting centers which in many instances are miles away, at times three to four hours walk.”
He says cognizant of elections being a nationally-owned process, efforts and contributions of Local and International Partners are also commendable in ensuring a successful election, but their assistance should take into consideration aspirations and real needs of the voting population.
He stresses that over and over, citizens in rural Liberia had asked lawmakers to request NEC to create additional voting centers to enable them register and exercise their rights to vote, adding “Unfortunately, NEC informed us that it was unable to create additional voting centers due to financial constraints.”
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The Senate Pro-Tempore continues that these circumstances, may have a negative impact on the outcome of the BVR process.
He adds that despite improvements made in strengthening the electoral system through reforms, government engaged partners both locally and intentionally to consider contributing financially to buttress its efforts of increasing registration centers to enable easy access for citizens in rural parts to register without the torment of traveling far to locate centers.
“Hopefully, said assistance will be considered to improve the democratic process and systems at NEC, especially with the pronouncement of millions being contributed to the electoral process by some of our partners through the UNDP and other international organizations.” He expresses.
He assures that the Legislature will continue to play its designated role but quickly reminds that to play said role, it will require significant number of financial resources, most of which are appropriated in the National Budget and paid from the national treasury, in accordance with law.
“We are in an election year. Be careful to digest well what you hear and read, before you believe. Political lies, character assassinations, rumors, fabrication with the intent to deceive the masses will be the order of the day”, Chie cautions fellow senators. Editing by Jonathan Browne
