MONROVIA – With less than 70 days to the conduct of the much anticipated presidential and legislative elections in Liberia, the Standard Bearer of the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) Alexander Cummings says Liberia and its citizens will be at risk if President George Weah and his government preside over the fraudulent conduct of the ensuing elections in the country.
By Obediah Johnson
Liberians are expected to go to the polls to elect new leaders on October 10, according to a timetable released by the NEC.
According to him, the conduct of free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections rest on the shoulders of President Weah and his government.
He made these comments when he appeared as a guest on Joy FM 101.5 in Monrovia on Tuesday, August 1.
Mr. Cummings reminded President Weah and his government that the prolonged civil conflict in Liberia was triggered as a result of dissatisfaction over the results of elections, and as such, the Liberian Chief Executive should be cognizant of the risk that would be posed to the nation and its people if the ensuing elections are not free, fair and transparent.
He emphasized that presently, the CPP has issues with the current Board of Commissioners appointed by President Weah to head the National Elections Commission (NEC).
He declared lack of confidence in the ongoing electoral processes being carried out by the current Board of Commissioners of the NEC.
Mr. Cummings said the failure of President Weah to adhere to a mandate from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for opposition politicians to nominate few of the Commissioners now presents the NEC as a “partisan commission.”
He recalled that though similar mandate was adhered to by ex-Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President Weah has failed to accord opposition the opportunity to nominate Commissioners on the Board of the NEC.
He alluded that it is the constitutional responsibility of the Liberian leader to appoint Commissioners of the NEC, but opposition politicians should have been given the opportunity to nominate few of the Commissioners, in keeping with the mandate from ECOWAS.
“This is a good practice that the opposition recommends some of the commissioners. The prior government of President Sirleaf allowed opposition to nominate three of the seven Commissioners, including the current Chairman (Davidetta Browne Lasannah) who was nominated by President Weah. That practice was a mandate and so, there is a perception of a partisan commission.”
“I want to remind President Weah and this government that this country started its unraveling because of elections. And I hope he and his team understand the risk to our country if the elections are not free, fair and transparent.”
Voters’ registration
Mr. Cummings expressed dissatisfaction over the delay of the just ended Biometric Voter Registration exercise by the NEC.
According to him, the entire process was “compressed” even though the biometric process was introduced in the country for the first time.
He said the lack of adequate funding for the commission to execute its statutory mandate remains another serious concern of the CPP.
“We do have some concerns about the NEC’s capability, capacity and this government intention to hold free, fair and transparent elections.”
Monitor the elections
Mr. Cummings said though President Weah and his government bear the greater responsibility to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in Liberia, it is also incumbent upon opposition political parties to work together to “monitor the votes” to ensure that the results are credible.
When this is done, he noted that opposition political parties will be preventing plans by the ruling party to “cheat or do anything funny.”
He, however, called for Liberians to not be taken for granted in making sound judgment at the ballot box during the voting process.
Mr. Cummings stated that Liberians will continue to make efforts in getting their right leaders through a democratic process.