Monrovia – In a total departure from long standing electoral tradition in Liberia, the country’s political contenders are being made to engage in wide ranging debates on the pressing national issues that affect the country.
Several organizations have organized debates among numerous candidates especially at the legislative level.
To ensure that these debates are wide ranging and involve the presidential candidates the Deepening Democracy Coalition (DDC) will host its first Presidential Debate at the Paynesville City Hall on Thursday, August 17 at 1:pm.
The debate will involve six contenders.
The presidential candidates who have been invited to outline their governance proposals to the Liberian people include Mr. Benoni Urey, Standard Bearer of the All Liberian Party, Mr. Alexander Cummings, Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress, and Dr. J. Mills Jones, Standard Bearer of the Movement for Economic Empowerment. Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Standard Bearer of the Unity Party, Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine, Standard Bearer of the Liberty Party, and Sen. George M. Weah, Standard Bearer of the Coalition for Democratic Change will also be present.
During the debate each candidate will be asked to outline his plans for six key areas: the economy; security and rule of law; peace and reconciliation; anti-corruption policy; agriculture; and youth empowerment.
The candidates will also be asked to explain how their plans will be rolled out and funded. The debate will be broadcast live on UNMIL Radio, LBS, Women Democracy Radio and several other radio stations.
The event will also be streamed live on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Liberia Media Center (LMC), Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), and Liberia Women Media Action Committee (LIWOMAC) make up the DDC.
The DDC’s over-arching objective is to deepen democracy and foster informed citizens’ participation by promoting an issue focused elections.
The DDC expressed its gratitude to the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) for making its election activities possible.
Proceedings will be broadcast live on LBS, UNMIL Radio and social media.
