Monrovia – Ahead of the 2017 elections, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has begun the conduct of a series of workshops on the mitigation of electoral disputes to prevent pre and post elections violence.
The four-day electoral dispute resolution workshop started on Monday and is intended to drill stakeholders in the various phases of the electoral dispute resolution process.
Issues being discussed at the workshop include the types of electoral complaints, how to file a complaint; initial reaction of NEC to complaint, who adjudicates complaints, complaints hearing process, remedies and appealing. The workshop is being held in phases with participants attending at different intervals.
The first phase of the workshop was held on Monday and brought together senior staff of the NEC, while the Tuesday session was attended by officials of the 22 registered political parties.
More than 20 lawyers of the Liberian National Bar Association attended the Wednesday’s session, while the 4th and final session of the workshop will be held on Thursday with members of the civil society in attendance.
The objective of the workshop is to acquaint stakeholders with the electoral dispute hearing mechanism and processes common to the elections complaints hearing. The workshop is being sponsored by the European Union through UNDP and USAID through IFES.
Meanwhile, renovation works have begun at the headquarters of the NEC in Monrovia.
The renovation works are being conducted at the Commission’s conference hall, where official results of elections are announced. Works at the Hall include replacement of galvanized corrugated roofing sheets using aluminum sheets.
Other works being done at the Hall include changing of ceiling tiles and refurbishing of bathrooms. Replacing of steel fence using concrete bricks is also taking place at the Commission. The process will also include the replacement of damaged entry and exit gates and the installation of lights to illuminate the compound during night hours.
Concrete slabs are also being constructed to replace corroding grid-irons over drainages within the Commission’s headquarters.
The Government of Liberia is funding the renovation project, implemented by the General Services Agency (GSA).