By Ethel A Tweh
The Liberian Senate’s Plenary has cited the Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to explain its preparedness to conduct the October 2023 presidential and legislative elections without impediments.
Members of the NEC Board of Commissioners have been ordered to appear before the Senate as a Committee of the Whole at 1:00 pm next week on Tuesday, 21 February 2023.
The decision by the Senate on Tuesday, 14 February came following a communication from Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.
Senator Karnga-Lawrence, political leader of the opposition Liberty Party (LP), brought Senate Plenary’s attention, her concern about the NEC Board’s ability and preparedness to conduct the pending elections.
According to Senator Karnga-Lawrence, there are visible indications that the NEC is running against time on the conduct of the nationwide biometric voter registration exercise.
In order for Liberia to foster a continuous path of sustained peace and democratic governance under the rule of law, Madam Karnga-Lawrence believes that the 2023 elections must be conducted in a credible, transparent, free, and fair manner as guaranteed by the New Elections Law of Liberia.
Making a motion, Grand Bassa County Senator Jonathan L. Kaipay said this is a serious matter and it requires urgent attention.
Kaipay said the NEC Board of Directors should appear before the Senate as a committee of a whole on Tuesday.
I do see the point, and this is the reason why the illiterate, few educations, educated and some minute literate comprehensively will win, because they no longer will afford unreliable platforms. Time for facts of the election. We will talk about gimmicks, wealth, and failures later. Family first, Society, and then State.
The most important thing is to have the security assurance that the votes are scientifically calculated, regardless digital. By the way how many Liberians are literate or educated enough to know standard English? Maybe just less than 15%. The person who wins on factual count under the people’s peace and protection is the true choice of the Liberian people. This is the truth that the jurisprudence of Liberia requires as the Judicial branch prepares to interpret in the election laws as enshrined in the Liberian Constitution. To think that only party politics or parties’ joint coalition can win an election is out of the Liberian way maybe, socialist, communist, electorate of electors, and not the Liberian democratic atmosphere left for us by our founders. The Liberian constitution lays out in simple language the capability of becoming President of the Republic of Liberia. Read the Provisions. A simple majority-50+ (over fifty%) of true votes. Free with conscience, fair, thru the ballot box. The right to vote and not to vote without pressure from party affiliation., individual power favors on pallets, or kinds. You do not have to know everybody to win. Liberia should know if you are capable of serving their needs. Neither do you have to be a party’s candidate to win. The capable person after the votes count is the Presidential win. Who is the actual leader come October 2023? Ask God.