Zambia Ex-VP recommends mechanism for electoral integrity

Despite two peaceful transitions of power following the conduct of relatively free and fair elections, international partners still believe that more needs to be done to maintain Liberia’s peace, particularly to prevent post-election violence. 

By Lincoln G. Peters 

Monrovia, 29 February 2024: Zambia’s former Vice President Dr. Nevers Mumba has recommended mechanisms to Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Government of Liberia for sustainable and enriched electoral integrity across the country.

Dr. Mumba said there is more to be done to fix and improve the electoral process despite the country conducting relatively free and fair elections.

On Wednesday, 28 February 2024, the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa-Liberia International Elections Observation Mission (EISA-LIEOM) opened a two-day multi-stakeholder post-election review symposium for the 2023 presidential and legislative elections.

At the symposium, Dr. Mumba recommended electoral legal reforms, change in Liberia’s election date, and increased civic and voter awareness.

“While we applaud Liberia for conducting a relatively free and fair election, we are alive to the fact that there remains more to be done to fix and improve the electoral process,” he said. 

“Fixing the process is more effective in peacetime, away from the election season. This is why we have come back today to ensure that we work together to fix the broken and weak links we collectively observed in the electoral process,” the Ex-Zambia VP urged.

He believes that at this time, the emotions are low and objectivity has come back to resolve the hurdles in the electoral process.

Dr. Mumba said he anticipates that the output of this workshop is not merely a set of recommendations but a collective vision for a stronger, more inclusive democracy in Liberia.

He further encouraged active participation and engagement from the participants because their input is crucial in shaping the recommendations that will guide future actions and reforms to enhance the democratic electoral processes in Liberia.

“The integrity of the Liberian election stands out as a lighthouse in West Africa. A region that has ignited deep concern following several coups that have taken place in the recent past,” he said. 

“Against this background, Liberia has stubbornly chosen a path of democracy. We propose that the Liberia story be packaged and sold to the rest of the world,” he continued. 

The EISA-LIEOM with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) embarked on a two-day multi-stakeholders post-election review workshop focusing on the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.

The workshop aims to collectively reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the past electoral process.

The program was graced by international and local stakeholders, as well as political parties and civil society organizations with topical issues of the 2023 elections. 

This platform provides an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, political parties, the media, women and youth groups, academia, and the international community, to share their observations and discuss recommendations for the future.

The interactive dialogue which is taking place at a local hotel in Monrovia, kicked off on 28 February and will climax on 29 February with the objective of sharing insights from various election observation reports.