Monrovia – A new survey conducted by AfroBarometer, an international survey group, shows that most of its respondents perceive the Liberian National Police (LNP), National Elections Commission (NEC), and the Legislature as government’s institutions with the most corrupt government officials in Liberia.
Report by Henry Karmo [email protected]
These findings are being released six months after Liberia’s Presidential and Legislative elections, which were widely considered a success and ushered in the country’s first peaceful transition of power in 73 years.
According to the survey, almost half of those surveyed (47%), said the level of corruption in the country has increased somewhat or increased a lot over the past year.
The survey also shows that large majorities of interviewees said the rich are more likely than ordinary persons to get away with paying a bribe or using personal connections to avoid taxes (83), avoid going to court (89%) and register lands that’s not theirs (87%).
Amongst respondents who had contacts with relevant public services during the previous year, a majority (55%) paid a bribe at least once to get police assistance, about half (48%) paid bribe at least once for household services. About four in 10 paid a bribe at least once to get medical care, (43%), to get public school services (40%), and to avoid problem with the police (37%). Two in 10 (22%) paid a bribe at least once to obtain identity documents.
A little over half of the respondents (52%) thinks that ordinary citizens can make a difference in fighting corruption. Six in 10 (61%) said that people risked retaliation if they report incidents of corruption. Two-third (67%) stated it is not likely or not at all likely that authorities will take action if they report corrupt behavior.
Democracy
In the survey findings, most of the Liberians described their country as a democratic nation and prefer democracy over any other political system, but expressed dissatisfaction with the way their democracy is working.
The survey also shows that although a large majority of Liberians endorsed regular, open, and honest elections, fewer support multiparty competition. The survey also reveals an increased demand for accountable governance, compared to 2015.
The survey also shows that two-thirds of citizens support government censorship of the media and restrictions on freedom of association.