Brian Tracy asserts that one should “Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”
In light of this, I am very optimistic about the Liberian election, irrespective of the outcome, and I call upon all Liberians at home and abroad to embrace the “official results…” I also call upon the emerging leadership to solicit the help of qualified manpower resources at home and abroad, irrespective of their political party affiliation. After all, this is a nation of decent and God Fearing people, despite the historical challenges along the way.
Meanwhile, I commend all the political parties and independent candidates for their tireless efforts to invest their precious time, and resources to campaign hard to seek political offices for our beloved nation, Liberia.
My impression is that each and every one of them had “good” intention to make a significant contribution towards the development of the nation in their respective position sought…
Obviously, The Liberian electorate enthusiastically participated in national election recently. I view all the candidates and the Liberian people as winners because in addition to supporting their respective candidates of choice, they give Liberia hope by providing a significant opportunity for enormous “lesson learned.”
Now it is time to embrace the opportunity and resolve observed problems to avoid similar crisis in the future.
The voters participated in what I refer to as “an open float gate of democracy” within an “over crowded field of candidates” for this relatively “small West African Nation”, comprising of about 43,000 square miles, with a population of less than four million people, and registered voters of only 2,163,829.
Yet, there are 26 registered political parties coupled with many Independent Candidates.
Just for the Presidency alone, there were 20 candidates. While the number of candidates for the House of Representatives is also overwhelming.
For example, District 4 in Montserrado County has 29 candidates competing for this one position.
Given these facts it would be very interesting to know how much the Liberian Government and/or it’s donor spends on financing election to tally or count and re-count the votes; how much they spend on logistics and required supplies; how much they spend on legal fees to defend the election commission from law suits by candidates who take legal actions against the commission. No wonder why “run-off” elections are becoming habitual in the Liberian electoral process.
These second round elections, especially for the President and the Senate are very costly to both, the Government and the candidates. They also “burns the candidate’s” energy and possibly take a toll on their health which affect their ability to govern soundly.
Also, when these elected officials “overspend” their anticipated “election budget,” the probability for “corruption” to replenish their finances increases. Even the temptation to increase their salaries and fringe benefits is also visible.
Proposed Solution
It is against this backdrop, I strongly urge, encourage, and request the incoming honorable members of the House of Representatives to join ranks with the Liberian Senate to introduce legislation that will accomplish the following while the incoming president should be willing to sign and approve of same without hesitation:
Immediately introduce legislation that prior to approval and subsequent placement of a candidate’s name on the ballot to run for President, a political party or independent candidate must submit a petition with about 150,000 registered voters (10,000 from each county).
The voters must be verified by the election commission roster and by “in person” contact with those voters to ensure transparency.
The same must be done for each Senator but their requirement should be a petition signed by 10,000 or 5,000 registered voters, while the candidates for Members of the House of Representative’s petition should be submitted with 5,000 or 2,000 signatures from their respective districts.
These initiatives will result in significant cost savings to the Liberian Government and people and enhance the efficiency process a great deal.
Introduce legislation to resolve the problem of gerrymandering and automatically reduce the number of Representatives which will obviously reduce expenditure.
Currently, there are too many representatives in the Liberian Legislature for a nation with less than 4 million people and the budget to support them and their staff has skyrocketed…
This could be done by appointing an Independent Redistricting Commission with the task to redraw Liberia’s congressional or legislative districts to reflect the results of the most recent census of the nation.
The concept of one-person, one-vote dictates that districts should be roughly equal in population. Other factors to be considered are the Liberian voting’s law, district shape, geographical features, respect for communities of interest and potential competitiveness.
These initiatives will of course yield tremendous cost savings to the Liberian Government and people given limited financial resources. I must also note that the population density is skewed; hence, there are more people concentrated in the urban areas like Monrovia, Gbarnga, among others…
Considerably, these people continue to reside in these highly populated urban areas, and they often initiate contacts with their respective constituencies to solicit their support during election season for the most part. Many of them don’t even build their nice homes in the districts they represent, and this has been an issue for many years.
In fact, this recommendation will even motivate many to return to their respective districts, mobilize forces to enhance development more at the district and local levels.
Also, considering the enormous expense incur by the Liberian Government during these elections, it is imperative that leaders introduce legislation to raise the Registration Fees for all candidates to help underwrite the cost associated with election.
Perhaps, a fee of $50,000 U.S. dollars for Presidential candidates, $25,000.00 for VP, $10,000.00 for Senators, $5,000.00 for candidates running to become members of the House of Representatives, and perhaps $100.00 for local candidates such as Mayors.
It is my hope and prayer that both, current leaders and elected leaders will adhere to the foregoing recommendations. I will be willing to provide more input in support of these recommendations. Meanwhile, I am opened to receiving feedback regarding these recommendations.
Political Parties & Candidates:
Having discussed my summary of optimism for Liberia, let me list the number of political registered polities and the list of candidates (including independent candidates). Registered political Parties according to the National Election Commission (NEC):
(All Liberia Coalition Party (ALCOP)
Alternative National Congress (ANC)
Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)
Democratic Justice Party (DJP)
Redemption Democratic Congress (RDC)
Grassroot Democratic Party of Liberia (GDPL)
Liberty Party (LP)
Movement for Progressive Change (MPC)
National Patriotic Party (NPP)
Unity Party (UP)
Union of Liberian Democrats (ULD)
Victory for Change Party (VCP)
People’s Unification Party (PUP)
Alliance for Peace and Democracy (APD) – UPP & LPP)
Liberia For Prosperity Party (LFPP)
Liberia Restoration Party (LRP)
Liberian National Union (LINU)
Liberia Transformation Party (LTP)
National Democratic Coalition (NDC)
True Whig Party (TWP)
Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP)
All Liberian Party (ALP)
New Liberia Party (NLP)
Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE)
Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR)
Vision for Liberia Transformation (VOLT)
As of 2:p.m., October 15, the National Election Commission reports the following progressive results for the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election:
Analyses
As seen above, as of October 15 with 95.6% pooling places reporting, it is evident that there is no clear winner that will capture the required 50%+ 1 vote to win the election for president and vice president in the first round. However, George Weah is on track to win the presidency in a “run-off” election. Already, he has decisive wins in “voter rich” Bong county, River Gee county, and Rivercess county.
Additionally, he has comfortable leads in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, and Sinoe counties. Once Weah’s lead continues in these eight counties, he will end up winning 11 out of 15 counties.
Hence, this indicates that the George Weah-Jewel Howard Taylor popularity and effect is sweeping the nation. This massive “strong hold” and support for the Weah’s Ticket, will obviously lead to their victory in the run-off election.
Also, because their loyal voters are visible across the nation (11 counties), their victory is likely to translate into stability and unity for the entire nation. This is because more Liberian voters prefer George Weah to be president than anyone else at this time.
Beyond these, the Weah ticket finished a strong second in Garpolu County with 100% reporting; he is on track to be second to Brumskine in Grand Bassa County, while Boakai is a “far distance” third. As expected, Weah is a far distance second to Boakai in Lofa County and a distance third to Prince Johnson and VP Boakai in “voter’s rich” Nimba County.
While one can infer that more Liberian voters prefer George Weah to be their next President, his team should not be complacent. He should move fast and negotiate with Brumskine and Prince Johnson to endorse his ticket for the run-off.
He should also negotiate with the Cummings, Jones, Urey, and Macdella Coper’s camps to join his campaign efforts. These efforts will guarantee his victory and stabilize the nation to be governed properly.
Also, keep in mind that CDC is likely to win more House Seats than any other political party. The “wave of success” of these CDC elected representatives is likely to be transmitted into significant support for Weah in the run-off election. Later, they and their colleagues in the Liberian Senate will support him to ensure the success of his administration.
A Note of Caution
I must warn that people should stop “talking down” to Senator Weah for lack of Wester Education. After all he is educated and well qualified, and well known globally. He came from a humble beginning and worked his way up to his current status quo. He has carried himself very well.
If the Liberian people did not like him, he would not have won the Senatorial race in Montserrado County, to be followed by massive support for the presidency in multiple counties. Moreover, it does not take a Ph.D. to be president or govern a nation.
In fact, the Weah Presidency may end up being one of the best in the nation’s history given his massive support. It may also lead to Liberia hosting a Foot Ball World Cup in the near future.
FIFA World Cup budget often runs into billions of dollars and often result in significant development for the host country; hence, Liberia could benefit significantly…
All Weah has to do is be a far-sighted leader, recruit the best manpower resources from his Party, and other parties as well as qualified Liberians from the diaspora, and he will surely succeed because it is quite evident that he has the support of a broader spectrum of the Liberian people.
Additionally, people should also stop “bad mouthing” his Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor for being the ex-wife of former President Charles Taylor.
After all she only happens to be an ex-wife that served the people of Bong County well in the Liberian Senate. If she were that bad, she no doubt would had been a burden to the CDC Ticket.
People should also stop “bad-mouthing” Senator Prince Johnson of Nimba County and continuing to call him “war-lord.” After all, when he assassinated President Samuel Doe, he did not hold on to power.
He turned power over to a “civilian interim government,” and that Government was headed by Dr. Amos Sawyer who did his utmost best given the circumstances at the time…
Further, “rich voters” Nimba County loves Prince Johnson; hence, reconciliation with Johnson is significant to enjoy the support of Nimba County Citizens. If he were so bad, Nimba Citizens would not be supporting him as they usually do.
Beyond these, the Weah Team should negotiate strongly with the brilliant and veteran Liberian Politician, Lawyer, and humanitarian to be a part of his government. Brumskine will obviously bring great value to the leadership team; moreover, I do not see him running in another election…
Like George Weah, Clr. Brumskine came from an humble beginning in Upper Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. He topped his class from kindergarten through out high school (public school known as Bassa High).
Later, he obtained his bachelor and law degrees from the University of Liberia, and advanced degrees from top U.S. universities. He is qualified to practice law in multiple states in the U.S., yet, he made the sacrifice to return home to make contributions.
I remember him being the best director of “Liberianization and Illiniazation” division at the Ministry of Labor, Youth, and Sports where he influenced and challenged many concessions operating in Liberia to recruit many qualified Liberians to hold senior staff positions instead of continuously recruiting foreign nationals.
As a humanitarian, he sponsored many Liberians at the University of Liberia and mentored many younger lawyers (including the late T.C. Gould). He is one of a kind but he never boast of his good efforts and achievements…
In addition to soliciting the help of Brumskine, it would be wise to tap the expertise of other opposition candidates such as Corporate Executive Alexander Cummings, Mils Jones, Urey, etc… These efforts will ensure a higher degree of unity and help to augment success for a Weah administration.
In another development, I suggest that the Weah administration should recruit qualified women to help lead. There is no doubt that in today’s world, women play a significant role in the development of any nation and in helping candidates rise to power.
A case in point is Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor who added value to the CDC ticket and delivered Bong County votes couple with others in route to victory for the CDC.
Perhaps, if other presidential candidates had recruited “strong female candidates” to be their running mates instead of “scrambling” over “male recruits” from “Prince Johnson’s strong hold Nimba County,” the election would had been more competitive.
Even, “young Macdella Cooper,” the only female candidate in the male dominated race for president, did a wonderful job and she should be commended…
Endorsement
Now that it is evident that the massive of the Liberian voters prefer a Weah-Howard Taylor administration, I endorse you fully and unconditionally… I am also making a clarion call to all political parties on “law suits.”
Instead, I request you all to endorse the Weah Ticket, and run his campaign so that he can win the run-off election in a land slide victory. I make this appeal because his winnings is not only evident in his county of origin; instead, it is evident throughout the country. CDC is obviously the “people’s choice” at this time.
Final Thoughts
President Weah to be; while I endorse you hold heartily, you and the incoming leadership should never forget to show some respect to the “outgoing leadership team”, led by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and assisted by VP Boakai.
Given the circumstances when they came to office, they have done a tremendous job of keeping the peace, eradicating Ebola from Liberia coupled with achieving much infrastructural development.
Also, Liberia is more respected in the world community today. I hope you all can join me in thanking President Johnson-Sirleaf and Vice President Boakai for a job well done and let’s wish them well during their retirement.
Remember, “In Union Strong success is sure;” hence, I urge you to let success be the only option! On this note, be blessed to build on the foundation they have laid. May God bless you, May God also bless and safe Liberia.
Calvin R. Johnson, Contributing Writer
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