MONROVIA – The Better Future Foundation (BFF) in collaboration with Partnership for Democracy and Good Governance, a consortium of over 20 civil societies organizations has ended one day capacity building training-workshop for election observes and begin the deployment of over 177 local observes across Liberia.
The workshop under the theme “taking Ownership for peace and democracy in Liberia” brought together participants from various counties to be train and deploy in 13 counties, as observers for the October 10 legislative and presidential elections as a way of supporting free, fair and credible electoral process.
Speaking to participants at the workshop in separate remarks facilitators cautioned the participants on a wild range of elections relative matters and at the same time remind them not to get involved with any act that could trigger violence, but instead, they should observe and report any abnormalities that may unfold during the process; adding that every Liberia citizen is under moral obligation to protect the country electoral process from any form of violence, and as observers of the process, their roll is a crucial responsibility.
For his part, Secretary General of the Liberia Council of Churches, Rev. Christopher Toe, reminded participants that in as much as the state is recognize as a Christian nations, citizens needs to take on the responsibility to maintain the relationship God has established with people of this country since it was founded; citing that the founding of Liberia as a country was primary done in the church with the leaders being a God fearing individuals.
Toe named a three ways principals in maintaining peace in every society as having peace within oneself, having peace with your fellow man and having peace with God. He used the medium to call on election workers; adding that way to maintain peace in every society is to have peace
Rev. Toe, maintained that, its certain that the issues of election is about getting individuals of trust who can governed the affairs of the state and its people, which he said it should be the focus of every citizens; noting that as such, it calls for each actor to take on ownership.
The LCC Secretary at the same time stressed the need of adequate securities in the country since the drawdown of UNMIL, stating that even in the mildest of inadequate security, the country has been at peace which he noted that it’s a sign of unity among citizens and such attitude should continue to exist as the country prepare for another plan of transition in the governance system of the country.
Also speaking at the BFF Workshop, the Head of the secretarial of the National Baha Faith, Eddie Wright caution participants not get involved with activities that would undermined the electrical process.
According Wright, the Baha Faith is one of the many religions in the world that does not get involved into politics but they believed the governance system of society; adding that since the formation of the Baha Faith in Liberia, they have been making their own contribution in keeping the current peace everyone is enjoying in the country and to keep that peace stable, call for everyone participation we insure that there be a peaceful election comes October 10.
Also in remarks, the former Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, Dr. Gerald Colman stressed that, Liberia has had enough experience from the hand of violence and instability so its about time that Liberians focus more on peace and love for each and country; citing that Liberia being a Christian nation, there should no need of instigating any act of violence.
According to Colman, Liberia is a democratic nation and so every citizen has certain rights and responsibilities and these are instrument of equality there should be no room for certain group of people to enjoy while are marginalized to some existence.
The former TRC Commissioner furthered noted that as a democratic nation, if an elected government fail to meet the need of the citizens that government should be change through a democratic procedure. He used the medium to call on participants and the electorates to do everything in line with the principle of peace not to allow any form of instability during and after this election.
Meanwhile the Executive Director of the Better Future Foundation, Rev. Augustine Akoi, has from on the manner in which some citizens are conducting themselves in the wake of the 2023 general and Presidential elections with reports of violence since the start of campaign in the country.
According to Rev. Akoi, it’s not a good sign for the country, as we have just less than a week to go to the poll; adding that Liberian should now be thinking positive instead of always getting involve with activities that undermined the peace of the state. He adding that anything that affect part of the country affect national government functions especially in the wake of a general elections as he called on the government to make sure perpetuators are brought to book in the latest Lofa County incident that led to the death of at least two persons.
The BFF Boss meanwhile disclosed challenges face by civil society groups with little or no supports national government to facilitate civic education for electorates for the 2023 presidential and Legislative elections; citing that unlike this year general elections, past government has been funding civil societies groups to carry on civil education to avoid election irregularities that sometimes trigger violence during and after elections.
Akoi further that though these challenges, they continue to work around the clock to ensure that there be a peaceful and credible election as he cautioned election workers to stand for their integrity in the best interest of the country instead of their gains.