MONROVIA – The silence of the National Elections Commission (NEC) on the erection of pre-campaign billboards, campaign T-shirts, and other campaign materials publicly displayed recently by the ruling party is beginning to turn into a great deal of embarrassment for the electoral process ahead of October elections.
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
Controversial opposition lawmaker, Rep. Yekeh Kolubah, known for his uncompromising challenges against President Weah and the government on Tuesday mounted giant size campaign billboards for the Unity Party’s Joseph Boakai and the CPP’s Alexander Cummings at the Capitol.
According to Rep. Kolubah, his action emanates from the action of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) which recently lined up Tubman Boulevard with campaign billboards and flyers.
The CDC over the weekend held an elaborate rally which was intended for Pres. Weah to accept his renomination as standard-bearer to contest Presidency in the October presidential and general elections.
The ruling party came under a barrage of criticisms from the public for the gross violation of the elections law and total disregard for the National Elections Commission guidelines for the October elections.
According to the National Elections Commission, the Presidential and Legislative Campaign period will begin on August 5 and end on October 8. Until this period, no political party or candidate is allowed to wear or display campaign materials.
The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) described the action of the CDC as undermining the principle of a level playing field that is needed to have a free, fair, and transparent election.
The ECC further noted that the CDC’s action violates Section 12 of the National Elections Commission’s (NEC) Regulation on the conduct of political parties and coalitions.
During the rally, agents of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), the elite guards that protect the President, and other VIPs were seen wearing paraphernalia of the CDC.
However, following with pressure from the diplomatic community, the opposition, opposition political parties and private citizens over the blatant abuse of power and unprofessional posture of the arm-carrying EPS agents, the government issued a press statement on Monday condemning the action.
The press statement:
The Government of Liberia takes due cognizance of concerns coming from local and international quarters of the donning of the Coalition for Democratic Change paraphernalia by some members of the Executive Protection Service during the party’s “One Million Men Rally” for the nomination of President George M. Weah for a second term bid.
The Government says these concerns are legitimate and terms the EPS Officers’ behavior as embarrassing which it attributes to over-exuberance and lack of knowledge of the standard operating procedures of the service.
The Chairman of the Joint-Security of Liberia, Justice Minister Counselor Frank Musah Dean Jr. has mandated the head of the EPS Director Trokon Nathaniel Roberts to ensure that henceforth such unprofessional display by any member of the EPS does not recur.
In a mandate to the National Security Forces of Liberia, Justice Minister Dean reminded all military, paramilitary, and other related security institutions of their oath to defend and protect all citizens and residents of the country in a manner that demonstrates neutrality, professionalism, and decency.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia wants to reiterate its expressed commitment to the conduct of free, fair, transparent, democratic elections in an environment that is secure and open to all stakeholders and participants regardless of political affiliation.
The government says it will not allow Saturday’s regrettable action on the part of some members of the EPS to put a dent in the enviable record of the Weah-led Administration of successfully conducting several elections in the country.
Tit-for-Tat
Reacting to the ruling party’s violation, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon expressed his lack of trust in the Elections Commission in putting CDC in check. He wrote on Facebook:
The proper, real, harsh ‘medicine’ for the CDC lawless gang is, when they hang Bill-Boards before the scheduled campaign period, do not whine or complain. NEC will not help you; hang yours too!!! Then NEC will be forced, compelled to see and act on everyone!!!
Yes, we are #CDC_NIGHTMARE
And in accordance with Sen. Dillon, Rep. Kolubah told reporters at the Capitol early Tuesday morning he felt obliged to campaign because the President is also campaigning.
He said, “Am I supposed to sit down for Mr. Oppong [Pres. George Weah] to run campaign to me. He ran campaign to me and me, too, I’m running campaign to him.”
He also expressed his disappointment in the Liberia National Police for allowing crowds gathering at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on the UN Drive to converge by way of Capitol Hill.
“Since they allowed their people to pass in front of the Mansion we, too, we will pass in front of the Mansion when we’re having our rally,” he said.
Also, in total disregard to the National Elections Commission timetable, Rep. Kolubah encouraged his followers to begin campaigning for the opposition candidate of their choice.
“We’re calling our people all around Liberia to go on with the campaign, go and encourage people to vote,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ECC has condemned Rep. Kolubah’s action and declaration that the campaign is open.
According to the ECC, it has continued to receive reports from its county and district monitors that aspirants from the Unity Party (UP), Alternative National Congress (ANC), and People Unification Party (PUP) are involved in the printing and posting of flyers, banners, or stickers which depict the act of pre-campaigning under the NEC regulations.
ECC believes these instances of violation are happening due to the NEC’s failure to enforce its Regulations during previous ones. These trends in the bridge of the Campaign Regulations are worrisome as this may set the basis for violations of other regulations of the 2023 electoral legal framework.
ECC, therefore, called on the NEC to levy the stipulated fines and penalties outlined in the regulations for violations of any component of the electoral legal framework to preserve the integrity of the process. In addition, all parties and aspirants are encouraged to desist from every form of pre-campaign activity as a respect for the rule of law guarding these elections.