Monrovia – The Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL), one of several political institutions converging to ensure victory for the Unity Party in a tense political battle scheduled for October 10, has raised concerns about what it perceives as “procedural errors” being perpetrated by the National Elections Commission.
By: Willie N. Tokpah / 0777039231
During a media engagement on Sunday, September 24, in Congo Town, EFFL Commander-In-Chief, Emmanuel Gonqueh, expressed that these procedural errors were evident in the presence of the election observation group. He criticized ECOWAS Observers for not taking action to guide the NEC in following the correct procedures in preparation for the October 10th poll.
Gonqueh pointed out that the EFFL had identified inconsistencies within the voter roll and warned that failing to correct these errors could lead to turmoil.
He emphasized that the Final Registration roll contained conflicting data compared to that of phase one of the registration roll.
Gonqueh expressed concern that the total number of registered voters in Grand Kru, Grand Bassa, and Margibi had increased significantly following the cleaning of the voter roll, contrary to expectations. He deemed this increase in registered voters, especially in Montserrado and other counties, after the cleanup process, as displaying inconsistency.
He believed that this situation was an attempt by the NEC and regional observer ECOWAS to manipulate the election results.
The EFFL CIC noted that it would be regrettable for institutions responsible for maintaining peace to encourage political actors to seek peace when they appeared to support an undemocratic process.
Gonqueh further noted that ECOWAS and international election observers’ current silence suggested that they were not acting in the interest of Liberians but rather in their own interests. He alleged that they were also involved in orchestrating a scheme by the incumbent to rig the Presidential election, thereby reverting the country to its dark days.
Gonqueh stressed, “The people of this country have sent a resounding message through a series of rallies across the nation that they are fed up with this government and need a government that will represent their hopes and aspirations.”
The EFFL CIC issued a stern warning to ECOWAS, stating that any attempt to orchestrate election rigging on October 10th would force them to take action against the West African body’s representatives sent to observe the elections.
The group also emphasized that it could not accept what it described as “a puppet government” imposed on Liberians.
Gonqueh declared, “We will do everything within our power to protect democracy.”
Meanwhile, Gonqueh had informed ECOWAS and other election observers in the country that the EFFL would accept nothing less than free and fair elections.
