Monrovia – The chairman of the Senate Committee on Autonomous Commissions at the Liberian Senate, Jonathan Kaipay, has assured Liberians that his Committee would work with the National Elections Commission (NEC) to conduct a smooth and peaceful election come 2017.
Senator Kaipay said at about US$20 million has been approved in the budget and the Government of Liberia and partners are expected to raise additional US$40 million for the 2017 general elections.
He added the 2017 elections will be crucial in the transitioning process and as such, the government was doing everything possible to ensure it is held successfully.
Speaking on a local radio station on Tuesday, December 20, the Grand Bassa County Senator said there is a need to extend the 2017 voter’s registration period which will run from February to March, 2017; adding that the stipulated time for the exercise was too short.
“That voter registration process is something we need to look at technically. I think If you subtract all the Sundays that are in February, you would be left with fewer days.”
Senator Kaipay further noted that the electoral threshold set by the NEC in 2011 would still be used for the 2017 Presidential and Legislative Elections; but is likely to be changed following the 2018 National Housing and Population Census.
He asserted that although he remains a staunch member of the opposition Liberty Party, but as chairman of the House of Senate Committee on Elections, he will put partisanship aside and work with the NEC to ensure a smooth conduct of the 2017 general elections.
“Considering the role I played as a bonified member of the Liberty Party and my role as Senator of Liberia; and placed in charge of autonomous Commissions that have oversight responsibilities over the NEC, PPCC and other autonomous agencies of government, our role as senator becomes national and the first and foremost in ensuring that this democracy that over 200,000 people died for is upheld,” he averred.
In another development, the Liberty Party strong man is calling on the opposition blog to form collaboration to unseat the ruling Unity Party comes 2017; warning that their chances would be narrowed if they failed to do so.
“I can say to you for free on this radio that any attempt not to see ourselves as companions and work together as anticipated, then it would be difficult for us to take power,” Kaipay warned.
“So, my plead to all of us is to ensure that whatever work we must do, we do it now and prepare to ensure that the opposition is into the second round (the runoff election) which I anticipate very highly; and when we are in the second round, from there I believe we can succeed in the end.”
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh -0880881540/[email protected]