Monrovia – Recently, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced key dates leading to the conduct of the 2017 Presidential and legislative elections in Liberia.
Even though this announcement has been welcomed by many, especially those in the opposition, but some say there are still issues that need to be addressed by the NEC.
It was reported that the Commission had earlier asked the Government for US$$24M for a biometric voter registration but that request has been tabled because, according to government, there is not enough money for that process.
Despite the turning down of the NEC request, the Congress For Democratic Change (CDC) says there is a need to give consideration to the request from the electoral body for a biometric voter registration, something they believe will eliminate 90% of possible fraud activities.
“We are at the eve of 2017 — a year Liberia will be going to elections. The issue of election is so important that since 1944 when President Barclay turned over power to a new President, we have never witnessed such an opportunity and this will be the first time we will see a transition,” said Nathaniel McGill, chairman of the party.
“We are pleased that the President has said she will do everything to have that successful transition in a peaceful way but before that process is achieved, there are issues that need to be addressed and one of them is the issue of a voter roll. We agree that the old voter registration has a 90% rate of threat where people registered more than once, leading to an inaccurate voter roll.”
He said he believes the biometric process is advantageous because it can be used in two or three elections.
“We, as political parties, especially the CDC, believe that this is a wrong beginning that threatens the credibility of elections. We’ve written the national Legislature asking the government to find the extra 14 Million”, he appealed.
“We made some argument in raising that amount. For instance, the issue of executive mansion renovation is not a priority and should not be in this election. If we don’t have credible elections, there will be no President to go to the Executive Mansion”, McGill said.
The CDC Chairman added “This President has never been to the mansion for over six years so there is no rush in renovating the mansion so to put seven million in the budget for Executive Mansion renovation will be a waste. That money should be transferred to a credible voter registration,” McGill said.
He also warned against the taking of a National Biometric Identification Card because, according to him, any attempt to do that will confuse the voting populace.
Blatant violation of code of conduct
The CDC Chairman has joined others in accusing the Unity Party of blatantly violating the code of conduct which speaks against public officials in the Executive contesting in election or taking part in political activities.
He frowned on the decision of President Ellen Johnson to ignore the law she signed by presiding over a process that many believe is illegal.
He challenged the Minister of Justice to speak to the doubt of citizens who have challenged the legitimacy of the elections of some ministers in the just ended UP convention.
“Part V of the code of conduct prohibits all officials appointed by the President of the Republic of Liberia from engaging in political activities, canvassing or contesting for elected offices.”
“It also prohibits the usage of Government facilities, equipment or resources in support of partisan or political activities. Section 5.10 of the code of conduct speaks about avoidance of conflict-politics and work.
The same section speaks of immediate removal from office as a punishment for any public official, who after due process is found guilty of violating any provision of this section.
“Section 5.2 (A) of the Code of Conduct states “any Minister, Deputy Minister, Director General, Managing Director and Superintendent appointed by the President pursuant to article 56(a) of the Constitution and a Managing Director appointed by a board of directors, who desires to contest for Public office elective office shall resign said, post at least two (2) years prior to the date of such public elections”.
“In disregard for the above provisions of the Code of Conduct, several Presidential appointees including Information Minister Nagbe, Labor Minister Lighe contested and won positions within the Unity Party.”