MONROVIA – Representative Thomas Fallah of Montserrado County District 5 was very optimistic of being the next Senator of Montserrado County, and being on the ticket of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) which ruled the county for over 12 years, coupled with his three-consecutive elections to the House of Representatives, he least expected that he would have sent concession message to his main rival, Abraham Darius Dillon – but he did.
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
At the headquarters of the CDC on Monday, Chairman Mulbah Morlu described the special senatorial elections as free, fair, and transparent. He further referenced President George Weah’s Sunday evening message in which he said, the votes represent the voice of the people and therefore called on all Liberians to accept the results.
Morlu: “Consistent with this call by the President and with the tradition of democratic culture in free democratic societies, Representative Thomas P. Fallah, CDC candidate in the Senatorial elections, has just placed a call to Senator Darius Dillon of the CPP to congratulate him on his victory and to pledge commitment to work together as lawmakers to move our country forward. This is the first time that a defeated candidate in the history of Liberia is congratulating his opponent before the official declaration of results by the NEC, something we only get to see in American democracy. On behalf of the leadership of the Coalition, let me join Rep Thomas Fallah in publicly extending congratulations to Senator Darius Dillon.”
Morlu, however, added that the CDC government is not deterred by the results of the election and would continue to work harder to enhance Liberian democracy, protect our peace and achieve the much needed and desired economic development and transformation we are pursuing as a Government.
He added, “To CDCians, you fought a hard fight but this is the nature of free fair and transparent democracy that is flourishing under the CDC. The truth is that mid-term elections the world over are tough on ruling parties and here in Liberia the electoral history confirms that. The Unity Party, for example, did not win Montserrado County though-out its tenure but went to win a two-term presidency. The loss in Montserrado, for example, does not say that voters are making judgment on the President. They are sending a message to the CDC and its Government to address the challenges and concerns of the Liberian people in a manner that secures their trust.”
The chairman Morlu assured the public that the CDC-led government would push for a unified and more inclusive government to accelerate the resolution of complex economic and development challenges, to improve service delivery to all our people, to provide better job opportunities for Liberians and to achieve the aims of the PAPD.
But still being optimistic, Morlu indicated that the CDC and its collaborators are likely to win four counties, the CPP is likely to win six counties and independent candidates are likely to win four counties.
“This is a great combination for all to work for Liberia in the years ahead. Those elected should be given the chance to govern so that results may be judged at the end of the day. Protests should not be used as strategy to thwart governance. Government and opposition should have the chance to work so that the voters can have their say at the ballot box as we have seen in these historic elections,” he said.
Also, in Grand Bassa County, Mr. Milton Findley who ran on the ticket of the CDC against the lone female in the Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, has congratulated her for her preferment by the people of the County to represent them at the Senate.
In a press statement on Monday, Mr. Findley stated:
“Congratulations to Senator-elect, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and our peace-loving people of Grand Bassa County.
“My profound gratitude to H.E. President Dr. George Manneh Weah, the Mighty CDC and Team Findley for the support and policy-driven campaign.
“Our desire for a Peaceful, United, Reconciled and Prosperous Bassa is unshakened while we remain engaged with our people going forward.
“I call on my supporters, sympathizers and well-wishers to acknowledge the outcome of the process for the development of our beloved county.
“Every election must have a winner. I am eternally grateful to our people for their decision and call on the Senator- elect to prioritize genuine peace and reconciliation as we continue to cherish the idea of a better and inclusive Grand Bassa County.”
Speaking to the nation on Sunday evening, President Weah applauded Liberian voters, the national security forces, the management of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and all stakeholders for the successful and peaceful conclusion of the recently held midterm senatorial and constituency by-elections.
In a bid to reunite the nation towards sustainable peace following a rather tense electoral process, the President spoke to the nation on the evening of December 12, 2020 after a significant amount of results was already made known by the country’s electoral management body, stressing that the elections “represent a major victory for democracy in Liberia, and have significantly enhanced our democratic credentials and affirmed our support for the rule of law in our country”.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Liberian people for the calm, mature, and peaceful manner in which they exercised their democratic franchise at the various polls throughout the voting process,” the President said, thanking the security forces of Liberia, “who through their vigilance, discipline, and professionalism, ensured that there was a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for these elections to take place, and that the freedom and rights of all our citizens were guaranteed and protected, both during campaign rallies and polling days”.
He added: “It is important that credit should also be given to the leadership of all participating political parties, for taking initiatives to admonish their respective partisans to remain disciplined and orderly throughout the process.”
The Liberian Leader also thanked the National Elections Commission and its leadership and staff, for doing an excellent job in organizing, conducting, and reporting on these mid-term elections.
“As President of Liberia,” the Pres. Weah said, “I extend my personal congratulations to all prospective winners, and express the hope that, as they join the governance structures of this country in their respective legislative capacities, they will not only well represent the hopes and aspirations of their various constituencies, but that they will all work collectively in the best interest of the Liberian people.”
He further stated that “Liberia, as a Nation, and we, as a People, are the ultimate winners and beneficiaries of this peaceful exercise.”
The President also used the post-elections statement to urge citizens to take all necessary precautions and strictly observe all health protocols as published by the Ministry of Health as the festive reason approaches.
“As we come to the end of 2020, during which all mankind and all human activities were negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, let us hope and pray for a better New Year in 2021, as we learn of the good news that vaccines have now been developed which could assist in bringing this deadly disease under control,” President Weah said further.