Monrovia – Polling for the senatorial by-election for Bong and Montserrado County began at 8:00 am today with a generally unimpressive turnout so far.
A polling staff who spoke with our reporter at the PCS School in Paynesville City said, he finds the day boring because of the low turnout. The turnout compared to the 2017 general and presidential elections is very dismal.
Our reporter only saw one voter coming in after nearly 30 minutes of observation.
The voter who only identified himself to our reporter as Gweh said, he believes people are reluctant to come out and vote because they lack faith in government officials in the wake of current economic hardship. According to him, the poor turnout is the people’s way of expressing their dissatisfaction with the status quo.
The situation is the same across polling places in Montserrado County.
Speaking to FrontPageAfrica, Mary Tokpah who was seen selling ripe plantain in Jorkpe Town Market in Sinkor said, “Why should I waste my time to vote. These people always turn their backs on us when we vote for them. Who cares about us in this country. We’re just living by the mercies of God. I’ll not vote to make anyone rich while I remain poor.”
Moses Gray, a recharge card dealer said, he was disappointed in the electoral process because of how the government handled it from the onset.
“This is a government that says it did not have money to run the by-election, in fact, they termed it as ‘insignificant election’, yet the ruling party has two members of the House contesting the by-election. Are they not subjecting the country and its people to further poverty? Money that could be used to improve the lives of us the citizens would likely be used to host another by-election if they win. This whole thing is making angry that’s why I’m not going to vote.”
For others, like Augustine Tarpeh, he just doesn’t prefer any of the candidates in the senatorial race. “Among of them contesting, I’m not okay with any of them. My conscience wouldn’t serve me right if I vote for just anybody. So I will just keep away from voting,” he said.
The senatorial by-election for the two counties came about by the election of President George Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor who served as Senators for Montserrado and Bong Counties, respectively prior to winning the 2017 elections.
More details on the ongoing by-elections in both counties coming soon.