Monrovia – A nationwide public perception survey has illuminated an overwhelming vote of confidence in Liberia’s electoral body—the National Elections Commission (NEC)— inspiring a level of trust and reinforcing its pivotal role as a guardian of the country’s democratic journey. 

In a powerful testament to democratic progress, a national public opinion survey conducted in May and June 2024 has revealed overwhelming public confidence in the NEC, with 91% of Liberians affirming trust in its ability to conduct free and fair elections, solidifying the Commission’s role as a cornerstone of Liberia’s growing democracy.

The latest findings indicate a rising public confidence in the NEC. A similar survey conducted before the 2023 elections found that 66% of respondents expressed confidence in the NEC.

The survey, conducted by the Business Start-up Center (BSC) with analytical data support from the University of Michigan, and informed by insights from 2,650 citizens across all 15 counties, paints a picture of improved electoral participation and administration.

The data reflects a nation increasingly engaged in its democratic process and motivated to enhance inclusivity.

The NEC Chairperson, Davidetta Browne Lansanah, celebrated the high levels of public trust, emphasizing both gratitude and accountability.

“Following the successful conduct of the 2023 elections, we are encouraged to know that most Liberians believe in the NEC’s ability to deliver quality elections. We take seriously that one in ten expects us to do better—and we will.”

Commissioned by the NEC and supported through the UNDP-led Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) alongside international partners—including the European Union, Irish Aid, and the Embassy of Sweden—the landmark survey, “Public Perceptions of Elections and Women’s Political Participation in Liberia,” captures the spirit of a nation energized by democratic participation and striving toward greater inclusivity.

The survey illuminated several success indicators, including 94% of voters reporting a positive election day experience, and 88% praising the credibility of the newly introduced biometric voter registration (BVR) system—a reform designed to boost accuracy and limit fraud.

Rather than shy away from these challenges, the NEC has responded with purpose. The Commission has intensified its Civic and Voter Education (CVE) efforts and reaffirmed its dedication to removing structural obstacles to inclusive participation.

While 18% of respondents expressed concerns about the rollout, the NEC quickly responded by scaling up its Civic and Voter Education (CVE) through 83 outreach cells nationwide.

Despite these positive strides, the survey also spotlighted persistent challenges. Only 57% of voters felt polling locations were accessible to persons with disabilities, and significant barriers to women’s political participation remain.

“This positive experience sets a high standard, and these findings will help guide NEC’s next steps. We pledge to ensure that Liberians continue to vote safely and securely, while expanding opportunities for every voice to be heard,” stated Commissioner Ernestine Morgan Anwar.

The collaborative spirit behind the survey was widely celebrated, with European Union Program Officer Marie Paul Neuville applauding it as “a strong demonstration of partnership between Liberian institutions and international actors working together to strengthen democracy.”

UNDP–LESP Chief Technical Adviser Katherine Green lauded the survey as a pivotal milestone, both affirming the NEC’s effective performance and unlocking valuable pathways to deepen civic engagement and strengthen communications. 

“The findings offer useful guidance and spotlight opportunities for the NEC to deepen civic engagement and improve communications,” said Green.

She emphasized that the findings would empower the Commission to connect more effectively with voters and strengthen participatory democracy moving forward.

The survey’s inclusive approach mirrored Liberia’s vibrant diversity, amplifying voices across gender, geography, age, and ability to ensure a truly representative snapshot of the nation’s electorate.

With near parity between male and female respondents and 9% representing persons with disabilities, the study not only affirms widespread public trust in the electoral process but also provides a reliable roadmap for building a more inclusive and responsive democracy. 

The survey is not only about the numbers but about a country investing in its democratic destiny, led by an electoral body that listens, evolves, and leads with purpose.

These findings mark a pivotal step forward, not only validating the NEC’s efforts but also unveiling meaningful avenues to deepen civic engagement and strengthen democratic inclusion across Liberia.

As Liberia looks to the future, the NEC’s openness to feedback, embrace of innovation, and unwavering focus on inclusion have positioned it as a symbol of democratic integrity. 

Empowered by robust, evidence-based insights, the NEC is now strategically positioned to more effectively meet the needs of all Liberians and advance a more inclusive democratic process.

Liberia now looks ahead with determination to protect the gains of the past and shape an even more equitable electoral future.

Monrovia – It does not need to be overemphasized again: the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has stopped funding our budget! This is the loss of millions of US’ taxpayers’ monies that were being poured into our economy to help mitigate some of our problems. This loss is not only going to affect sectors of the Liberian Government that USAID funded directly in time past, but the negative outcomes are going to be felt nationally.

By Alaska Johnson, contributing writer

For this 2025 fiscal year alone, USAID’s direct support to the country’s budget is in the tune of US$74 million. But a dime of this promised might not be realized from the Donald Trump-led US Administration. Aside from this direct budgetary support, USAID also provides “soft aids” to other institutions which provide supports to national institutions, including the National Elections Commission (NEC).

The NEC, which is a very important and a critical sector of the democratic governance processes of Liberia, is going to be adversely affected. Even though USAID doesn’t send budgetary support directly to the NEC. It, however, used to support international and local organizations, which ably support the workings of the Commission to make it vibrant and viable.   

With those USAID supports, which came to the NEC through institutions like the Democracy International (DI), Internews, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), etc, many Liberians were employed and or contracted to perform services. 

However, a high-placed source within the international community, which has been keenly following developments at the NEC, has indicated that the severe overcrowding of the Electoral Management Body is a significant contributing factor to the ongoing crisis facing the organization. Currently, the Commission employs over 300 permanent staff members, a substantial number of whom are reportedly inactive, merely present to receive their salaries and allowances without contributing meaningfully to the Commission’s day-to-day operations.

Our source emphasized that is imperative for both the government and the international community to take immediate and decisive actions to address the challenges facing the Commission, as well as to safeguard the democratic processes in Liberia, especially as President Donald Trump’s action might likely have a trickle-down effect on other bilateral and multilateral partners, who provide supports to the government.

In line with international best practices for electoral management bodies, it is customary for such organizations to downsize their workforce following major electoral sessions to maintain an effective and efficient operational structure. Unfortunately, this has not been the case with Liberia’s National Elections Commission, leading to some of the current inefficiencies and public embarrassment associated with its operations.

Research conducted by this newspaper shows that comparing the staffing levels of NEC Liberia to those of its regional counterparts, the discrepancies become apparent. Despite Liberia having less than 2.5 million registered voters, its permanent staff count range to Ghana with more than 18 million registered voters and Sierra Leone with more than 11 million registered voters.

For instance, Ghana operates with just three permanent Commissioners, while Sierra Leone has five. In stark contrast, Liberia has appointed seven permanent commissioners. This disproportionate staffing structure has led to an unsustainable financial burden on government and the international community; the substantial salaries allocated to the National Elections Commission (NEC) staff during periods of inactivity are diverting funds away from essential development programs across the country. The paper recommends an immediate restructuring of the Commission to meet international standard.

“Media institutions need to take the initiative to visit the NEC to further verify what I am telling you, and to engage with individual staff and commissioners on this matter. You all should also be encouraged to engage with representatives from the international community as well as former commissioners, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the overcrowding at the Commission,” our source further emphasized.

In another development, it has been reported that more than half of the staff members, including 18 magisterial offices staffers of the Commission, have distanced themselves from the conduct of certain colleagues who often create disruptions and embarrassment for those who are diligently working. They have shown support for the return of the Chairperson of the Commission, Madam Davidetta Brown Lansanah, who worked diligently for the peace that Liberia currently enjoys, especially after the opposition secured victory by a narrow margin.

Those staffers further stated that the Co-chairperson is acting unlawfully, as she was not appointed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to serve in that capacity. They called on electoral stakeholders, including the international community, to request that an independent investigation be conducted to know the real reason behind the recent disruptions at the Commission and to restore integrity. The staff said that the person leading the disruptive acts at the Commission is already retired, more than 65 years old and should not be listened to, as he is not a part of the future of the Commission.

The recent kerfuffle over the NECs contracting of a vendor for biometric services has exposed one of the most vexing questions of governance in Liberia: the failure of the Liberian legislature to provide proper oversight over the malign and illegal actions of government agencies.

I am of the opinion as the right to vote is a civil right, the NEC’s action, which is OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF ITS LEGAL AND STATUTORY AUTHORITY, would jeopardize and violate citizens right to have their vote counted.

By George K. Fahnbulleh

These illegal actions render government agencies non-functional, because the monies required to execute their core functions are cannibalized by one or more other agencies using the excuse of urgency and expediency. This is exactly what the NEC is doing to the National Identification Registry (NIR).

The Act creating the NIR (08/08/2011) is unambiguous in (emphasis are the author’s)

3.1 The general function of the Registry ‘shall be to design, establish, maintain and administer implement the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS) of the Republic of Liberia.

3.2 In furtherance of its general function as set forth hereinabove, the Registry shall, have the following specific functions:

a. To design, establish and/or ‘acquire the technical infrastructure and control procedures that will serve as the platform for implementation of the NBIS;

b. To collect, organize, store, secure, and grant access to secure biometric data to be collected from individuals applying for national biometric identification cards; and other key document such as Passport, Driver’s license and Social Security cards.

c. To evaluate and determine, in keeping with due process of law, the adequacy of information provided by applicants for biometric identification cards;

d. To design, produce, and issue biometric cards, each with a unique identifying number to be called a Social Security Number, to be the primary government approved identity number (for registration of birth, death, passports, immigrant documents, bank accounts, Drivers License social security benefits, and other identification documents) supported by adequate and appropriate security features to address the challenge of possible fraudulent duplication;

e. To develop and adopt appropriate rules and procedures for the submission and evaluation of biometric data and other information as well as the storage and security of such data and information;

f. To advise and assist the Government of Liberia and its agencies in improving and strengthening the collection, storage, evaluation and security of information and documents collected to register births, issue passports, and other identification documents.

g. To engage and hire employees and other members of staff for the effective discharge of its functions and in connection therewith -to determine the compensation and other terms and conditions of employment fur staff;

h. To solicit funding and technical assistance for the purpose of carrying on its functions;

i. To purchase all necessary equipment, services and supplies appropriate for the execution of its responsibilities;

j. To ensure that the collection and release of data are in conformity with the Freedom of Information laws of Liberia and do not in any way infringe on the right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution; and

k. To do all other things appropriate or necessary for the effective and efficient discharge of its functions.

If, as enacted, the NIR is responsible for ALL BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION in Liberia, then the NIR is a SERVICE BUREAU to EVERY GOVERNMENT AGENCY, INCLUDING THE NEC, having has a need for identification services.

This means all government agencies, including the NEC, would CONTRACT with the NIR to produce the requisite identification instruments.  In practice, the NEC would not be buying its own biometric id system, but instead would contract with the NIR to produce the biometric IDs.

Instead, the NIR exists with little or no funding to carry out its mission. While the NEC cannibalizes the millions of dollars, to execute a function it has no legal authority to perform.

Let me be clear, biometric identification is essential for the growth and economic development of Liberia.  From a technology perspective there must be only one BIOMETRIC REGISTRY for the country.  It borders on theft for the NEC to create and maintain a biometric registry of 3.5 million Liberians, while asking the NIR to create and maintain a biometric registry of 5 million Liberians.

Any biometric identification produced by the NIR should serve as the basis for the NEC’s voter registration (assignment of a voter’s eligibility to vote in a specific location). That is ALL the NEC has to do.  The identification of the voter is the sole responsibility of the NIR.  Any funds used by the NEC for IDENTIFICATION means those funds are not available for the larger NATIONAL FUNCTION of the NIR.

There is no point in having laws, if the legislature refuses to provide oversight for the faithful execution of those laws.

“The chair stands by her statement that the contract for biometric registration has not been given out to any company. As to why, the company has built a preregistration software. The company is in the best position to tell why. The request is still before the PPCC awaiting approval.”

-Prince Dunbar, Communication Officer, National Elections Commission

Monrovia – Contrary to claims by the chair of the National Elections Commission Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansannah that the Commission has not awarded the US$12 million contract for the supply of biometric materials and equipment for the 2023 elections, FrontPageAfrica has learned that the controversial Chinese company, Ekemp, said to be the favorites of the NEC chair, has already developed a pre-registration app in anticipation of the elections next October, adding more intrigue to the damning saga surrounding the bidding for the Biometric Vote Registration process.

Six companies, including Network Solutions, Ekemp Int’l, Election Services Inc., HID Global and Liberian Partner, Waymark Infotech and Local Liberian Partner and Laxton competed for the contract. However, only three companies were qualified for the final round.

But Joint Venture of Ekemp International Limited, INITS Limited, and Palm Insurance Inc., and the Joint Venture of Professional Services Inc. and HID Global were considered by NEC to be “most responsive to the pre-financing requirement which was a major requirement for evaluation.”

Counselor Browne-Lasannah’s preferential treatment and handpicking of Ekemp/Palm Insurance over the others on the basis of its perceived pre-financing capacity were noticed by the Senate Committee on Autonomous Commissions and Agencies, in its recent report endorsing the decision taken by the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) to reject the company.

A review of the video of the company’s re-demonstration exercise displayed the malfunctioning of its equipment used to print the biometric voter ID on the spot as required. The company also flopped to print a voter registration card in the time allotted by the NEC, according to the PPCC.

Despite these noticeable failures, Cllr. Browne-Lasannah still sees Ekemp/Palm Insurance as the “darling boy” to print materials for the 2023 elections in Liberia.

Last week, the NEC Chairperson justified that despite the actions taken by the PPCC and the Committee, no contract has been awarded Ekemp/Palm Insurance.

According to her, the comparative audited income statements of each of the bidders show that only Ekemp/INITS/Palm and Laxton have implemented a project worth this amount over the last two years.

The total cost of the project is US$12M.

She said Laxton failed to provide audited financial statements for the immediate past year (2021), which is a requirement in the standard bidding documents. Laxton only provided statements for the fiscal years 2020 and 2019 and did not provide audited financial statements.

Moreover, Laxton expressed a condition regarding its ability to pre-finance. 

“The NEC did not and has not awarded any contract to the recommended bidder or to any other bidders in this matter. Moreover, the original report shows that only Ekemp/Inits/Palm and ESI made it to the final stage of the evaluation.”

App developed

Despite these claims of not awarding a contract to Ekemp/Palm, FrontPage has gathered that the company has already developed a pre-registration app for the NEC.

“This page for Liberia NEC voter pre-registration, once you open this page means you agree to collect and submit your basic information for voting and promise the authenticity of it.

All items with * is mandatory”, the app details stated.

It carries the Voter ID, Sur Name, Given Name, Gender, Sex, Date of Birth, as well as Phone no, Home Address, County, Magisterial Area, and Registration Center as features.

The development of the app comes barely few days after Counselor Lasannah reportedly travelled to Nigeria for nearly two weeks.

Forcing their way through?

In September this year, Ekemp/Palm Insurance listed, on its website, the National Elections Commission as one of its partners, though there was no official contract signed with the entity.

Following FrontPage Africa’s publications on the matter, Ekemp/Palm clandestinely took down the logo of the NEC prior to the appearance of Counselor Brown Lasannah before the Plenary of the Liberian Senate.

The company was accused of “forcing their way through”.

“I heard about that during the presentation of the NEC and the PPCC before the Plenary that attitude of Ekemp/Palm was questioned. I did not now it was FrontPage that disclosed that. Fortunately, they (Ekemp/Palm) took it down before they appear before the Plenary. Of course, that was wrong. They had not been considered. I think they were trying to force their position into acceptance,” the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agencies and Commissions Senator Henrique Tokpa stated in an exclusive interview with FrontPage Africa.

He observed that the company also failed to also adhere to all processes in keeping with the PPCC laws prior to its action taken to insert the NEC logo as partners on its website.

It was also established by the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agencies and Commissions that the NEC has awarded the contract for the biometric voter registration to the Joint Venture of Ekemp International Limited, INITS Limited, and Palm Insurance Inc.

Sidelining Global?

Ekemp/Palm Insurance which was considered as the “most responsive bidder” by the NEC has an equity and liabilities of the financing partner (Palm Insurance) in the Joint Venture is little over US$2.8M.

Ekemp International’s Annual revenue position as of December 2021 was US$95,527,850.71 Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), which is equivalent to US$12,169,388.36 as stated in the communication from NEC to the PPCC, dated September 13, 2022.

The next company, which was considered “next responsive” to the pre-financing requirement is the American company HID Global.

HID Global has US$6.1B as a revenue position for the year 2021 and it previously mentioned Ekemp International as its technical partner in its Joint Venture agreement submitted to NEC.

The rationale behind “pre-financing” being upheld as a pre-requisite for the awarding of contracts by the NEC to companies during electioneering periods and the decision taken to endorse Ekemp/Palm Insurance over HID Global remain questionable due to the huge financial gap between the two companies.

The NEC was requested by both the PPCC and the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agencies and Commissions to commence a “new process” and select the “next responsive bidder” for the awarding of the contract for the printing of the biometric voter registration card and other materials in keeping with its report submitted to the two bodies that only the two companies were the “most responsive.”

But it has been nearly a month now since the commission failed to comply with the mandate given; making it to appear that Ekemp/Palm Insurance has already been awarded the contract.

Standing by statement

The Communication Officer of the NEC Prince Dunbar maintained that the commission stands by its previous statement that no contract has been awarded Ekemp/Palm Insurance.

 “The chair stands by her statement that the contract for biometric registration has not been given out to any company. As to why, the company has built a preregistration software. The company is in the best position to tell why. The request is still before the PPCC awaiting approval,” he told FrontPage on Tuesday in Monrovia.

Awarding contracts without procurement

For some time now, post-conflict Liberia continues to be faced with the issue of some authorities at various government ministries and agencies awarding lucrative contracts to companies without competitive bidding processes.

In some instances, these companies, which they have either established clandestinely or have linked to, are made to win bids even though they are not qualified over others who bided for contracts.

These companies are even selected prior to the advertising of bid rounds in various newspapers.

These advertisements are done just to honor PPCC regulations. However, companies are most often selected or favored by higher-ups prior to the sending and opening of bids.

Most companies continue to loss thousands of United States dollars to authorities of these government ministries and agencies as non-refundable bid fees.

Handsome kickbacks are given as rewards to some of these public officials who front for companies to win lucrative contract worth millions of United States dollars, caring less for the worth of taxpayers’ and donors’ monies.

As a result of this, most of these companies performed a poor, ineffective or inefficient manner, with no one having the guts to hold them accountable.

Voter registration could delay.

The delay by the NEC to finalize the awarding of the biometric contract to the “next responsive bidder” as mandated by the PPCC and the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agencies and Commissions could delay the start of the voter registration exercise for the 2023 general and presidential elections.

The commission has set from December 15, 2022, to March 24, 2023, for the biometric voter registration exercise.

Already, citizens are rejecting the biometric voter registration exercise due to the lack of adequate awareness, questionable procurement processes, among others.

Monrovia – The National Elections Commission (NEC), through its chief hearing officer Cllr. Muana S. Ville, has told Mr. Musa Bility, chairman of Liberty Party, to halt all pending convention activities.

In a communication dated November 2, 2022, the NEC through its hearing officer mandated Mr. Ignatius Wesseh, NEC’s director on political Affairs, to mandate Mr. Bility and others to cease from proceeding with their planned convention that should have taken in Gbarnga, Bong County.

The NEC’s decision is based on a complaint filed to the Commission against Bility and others, after the case was forwarded to the hearing officer for investigation.

“You are further mandated to inform the respondent that failure to comply with these mandates, the results of said convention will not be acknowledged or accepted by the National Elections Commission.”

For some time now, executives and supporters of the Liberty Party have been divided politically, with a faction of executive members pledging support and loyalty to either Bility or their political leader Senator Nyonblee-Karnga Lawrence.

The division and lawsuits which rocked the party stemmed from accusations made against Mr. Bility and Secretary-General Martin Kollah of being the masterminds behind the alleged altering of the 2021 constitution which was adopted at the Gbarnga Convention in 2020.

Some executives and stalwarts of the party claim that Mr. Bility and the others allegedly tempered with the constitution, giving him (Bility) most of the powers prescribed to the Political Leader and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party in general.

The feud within the party deepened when Mr. Bility and his supporters openly endorsed Mr. Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) to head the ticket of the CPP come the 2023 general and presidential elections, and expelled Senator Lawrence and other executives from the party for their alleged failure to pay dues.

Monrovia – Janet Chengbe, 47, sat behind her table in the Rally Town Market in Central Monrovia on a sunny afternoon, winking her eyes from left to right in search of customers, caring less for a Biometric Voter Registration for the conduct of the 2023 general and presidential elections in Liberia due to lack of clear understanding on the entire process.

The Biometric Voter Registration was proposed by the National Elections Commission (NEC) and accepted for the country’s next elections scheduled for October 10.

Janet, a mother of four children, has been selling frozen foods in the market for the past 15 years. Though she has voted in several elections using a manual system, she has never heard about a Biometric Voter Registration.

She’s among thousands of Liberians who do not clearly understand the nomenclature “biometric.”

Speaking in an interview with FrontPage Africa at her selling place on Monday, Janet expressed unwillingness to participate in the pending elections due to lack of awareness on the biometric voter registration and the failure of elected officials to live up to promises made to the Liberian people during electioneering periods.

“I have never heard about biometric or the new voting card before. We have not seen elections people here to tell us”, she stated.

Janet is instead focusing on her daily bread and how her business is struggling these days. “People are not buying like before and I will not vote next year. The reason people can vote is for real changes to come in the country for everybody to enjoy. But right now, I am not thinking about voting because, I am not enjoying anything. When I come sell, one carton of frozen chicken, the goods can make three to four days with me. So, for what reason I should continue to vote for other people to enjoy and me and my family be suffering?”

Obtaining card for different purposes
Unaware how the biometrics bidding process will play out, Janet vows that she would instead obtain either the old or new voter registration card to use it for different purposes, instead of using it to vote in the next elections.

In Liberia, voter registration cards are used for multiple national services including travelling, banking and other activities. “Maybe I will get that registration card and keep it. I don’t have problem with it. But I can’t stand on the sun to go vote,” Janet laments.

Same old card
Janet stresses the need for the Government of Liberia (GOL), through the National Elections Commission (NEC) to abandon the biometric registration of voters for the elections.

The marketer says acquiring biometric voter registration cards would be challenging for marketers, especially those who are illiterate.

“The same old way we used to get our voter registration cards first, that how they should do it because, we are businesspeople and we do not like plenty hard time.  We like to come behind our markets to sit down and sell. We like the one they will take your picture, put your name down and give your card and you come and sit down behind your table. We the market people don’t like something that can give people problem.”

Janet argues that marketers should be allowed to stick with what they already know because the time is just too short to change. “We should use the same old registration card and they should forget about that new one they want bring. I can’t even tell whether when they bring that new one some of us will go register or not.”

People will not register
Across the country, citizens are expressing fear that there would be poor turnout for voters’ registration if thorough awareness is not provided on the biometric exercise.

Many are also concerned that the inaccessibility to the leeward areas also poses a threat to the equipment that would be used by NEC workers and prevent citizens in the hard-to-reach areas the opportunity to register and vote.

“These things are equipment and the possibility of them getting damaged cannot be overemphasized. NEC will be caught in a situation where an entire community or district cannot register in time because of the malfunctioning of the biometric equipment,” Prince Williams, a university student stated.

Doris Tarley, 63, and a mother of three children is a resident of the Soniwein Community in Monrovia.

Like Janet, Doris has never set eyes or lay hands on a biometric voter registration card.

“I have not heard about it or seen NEC people here. I don’t know about that one and so, I want my same old card and same old way of voting. They must bring our old registration card because some of us do not know book for people to educate us.  People will not register to vote if they bring the new way. When the people educate us, people who like it, they will vote. But as for me, I want the old way of voter registration. They should educate us on how to get the card and vote.”

Rachel M. Addy, 50, a mother of four children, has been selling fufu for eight years in the Rally Town Market.

Fufu is a typical Liberian food made from dried cassava.

She expresses the hope that regardless of whatever process, citizens will turn out to obtain their voter registration cards to vote. “I am forced to vote though we have not seen the elections people here telling us about this new thing they brought. But I want to vote the same old way. Anything they do, we will vote.”

Not timely due to lack of electricity

H. Boima Konneh, 31, is one of the leaders at the Nelson Mandela Intellectual Forum in the Red Hill Field Community, outside Monrovia observes that the lack of stable and affordable electricity may hinder the process, especially in the leeward areas.

For now, Konneh laments, “biometric voter registration is not timely because of the country we find ourselves in first when it comes to electricity issue. It may not be able to cover even in the city, not talking about the rural area. We should wait and maybe try it in 2029. Realities are established from rumors. People perceive some malpractices in the procurement process. And if it holds or remains like the way it is, it will bring out problems that people were not expecting.”

International Community should take charge

Konneh stresses the need for Liberia’s international partners to take charge of the entire process.

“I recommend that the International Community supersedes everything.  The 2023 elections are not like the elections we had in 2017; this is a different kind of elections, and we need people who will guide and put all mechanisms into place to make sure that our country is stable, and the elections are free and fair.”

Konneh explains that already, threatening remarks are being made by some stakeholders, and as such, Liberia’s international partners should intervene and take cease of the matter. He, however, felt short to disclose the names of those stakeholders who are making threatening remarks in the country.

Konneh maintains that the post-conflict nation will be unstable if the pending processes leading to the 2023 elections are misguided. “If the biometric voter registration process is not well guided, Liberia will be a different country from the one we are in now and we are not prepared for it. We don’t want to go back to the dark days. We want peace and we want our country to be stable to move forward”.

A replica of 2020 referendum

Junior Kiadii, 33, has voted in past elections with no knowledge of a biometric voter registration.

He foresees the 2023 general and presidential elections suffering a serious setback like the 2020 national referendum if biometric voter registration is accepted.

“I have been hearing people discussing about the biometric voter registration on air. If it was timely, we will say it’s necessary for 2023. There’s a saying that ‘anything that is not done properly, is not done at all. The biometric registration for now is not timely. For that, reason, it is not necessary. The 2020 referendum had many propositions that were cardinal, but the time in which the NEC brought the referendum was not timely. They didn’t do proper awareness, and this is the same with the biometric.”

KIadii says the lack of stable electricity and internet connectivity may serve as hindrances to the process. “There will be serious confusion if we go about with the biometric because, some people will register and participate in the elections, and it will reach to some areas where voting will not take place.”

Konneh is urging Liberia’s international partners to either discourage or take charge of the biometric voter registration for Liberia and its citizens to “proceed on our normal way of voter registration.”

He is also urging authorities of the NEC to put aside their “self-interest and do the right thing” in all bidding processes leading to the elections.

Call for fair elections

Pauline Sonpon, 40, and mother of two children wants any system of voter registration for the conduct of the 2023 elections to peacefully usher in a new government that will elevate the living standards of the citizens. “I want money to be in town and people will buy from us. We that are selling, people will buy from us. Maybe, I will leave the bread I am selling to sell different thing after the elections and things prices will come down.”

Sonpon says she has not heard about the new registration card yet. “I live West Point and we have not seen election commission people yet.”

The businesswoman further stressed the need for NEC to ensure that the elections are free and fair in the wake of its proposed biometric registration exercise. “We want the old way of registering because; we don’t know the new one. They should show us how to do it.”

Moving to modernization

James Yancy, 54, observed that the proposed biometric voter registration is intended to modernize Liberia’s electoral system.

He wants a perfect test of the biometric registration come 2023 for Liberia to be on par with other countries across the African continent.

He noted that the NEC should allot ample time for awareness as part of efforts to sensitize the electorates, many of whom are novices to the entire process. “For me, the biometric is not bad because we are in modern days. You don’t expect things to always be the same. Things will advance at certain time. The only thing I want is for the biometric to be done perfectly. NEC should put in time and allot at least 30 days for awareness.”

Despite Yancy’s support for modernizing the process, he predicts poor voter registration exercise if the NEC fails to sensitize the electorates prior to the commencement of the biometric voter registration. “If the awareness is not properly carried out, how do you expect people to go register and vote especially for people who are illiterate? So, let the awareness go on properly and let them know the important of the awareness before the elections can come about.”

The NEC has set from December 15, 2022, to March 24, 2023, for the biometric voter registration exercise.

Questionable Selection

However, the concerns being raised by the locals come in the wake of barrage of criticisms and rejection of the company the NEC selected for the biometric voter registration contract.

Recently, a report released by the Senate Committee on Autonomous Commissions and Agencies unearthed that the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Counselor Davidetta Brown Lansanah singlehandedly awarded a contract to Ekemp International Limited for the printing of biometric Voter Registration cards and other materials for the conduct of the 2023 general and presidential elections in Liberia, posing a threat to the nation and its people.

The report also questioned the credibility of the NEC Chairperson to conduct the pending elections.

The committee is headed by Bong County Senator Henrique Tokpa.

It was mandated to probe into circumstances surrounding biometric voter registration for the country’s pending elections and the awarding of the contract under a questionable bidding process.

In its findings submitted to plenary last week, the committee revealed that out of the six companies that participated in the bidding process, the Joint Venture of Ekemp International Limited, INITS Limited, and Palm Insurance Inc., and the Joint Venture of Professional Services Inc. and HID Global were considered by NEC to be “most responsive to the pre-financing requirement which was a major requirement for evaluation.”

It noted that the PPCC, which is the statutory body for ensuring that all procurement processes are done in a fair and transparent manner questioned the pre-financing capacity and the legitimacy of Ekemp/Palm.

It maintained that despite the PPCC’s objection of Ekemp and the “most responsive bidder”, the NEC awarded the contract for the biometric Voter Registration to the Joint Venture of Ekemp International Limited, INITS Limited, and Palm Insurance Inc., with equity and liabilities of the financing partner (Palm Insurance) in the Joint Venture is little over US$2.8M.

The total cost of the project is US$12M.

The committee furthered disclosed that Ekemp International’s Annual revenue position as of December 2021 was US$95,527,850.71 Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), which is equivalent to US$12,169,388.36 as stated in the communication from NEC to the PPCC, dated September 13, 2022.

According to the report, the next company that was considered by the NEC as responsive to the pre-financing requirement is HID Global.

HID Global has US$6.1B as a revenue position for the year 2021.

The report revealed that the company is an American company that mentioned Ekemp International as its technical partner in its Joint Venture agreement submitted to NEC previously.

The report questioned the rationale behind the decision taken by the commission to re-select Ekemp International for the biometric Voter Registration exercise despite the company’s flop during its re-demonstration performed at the re-evaluation bidding process conducted.

“NEC ignored the poor performance of Ekemp International at the re-demonstration of its bid proposal before the bid panel. Besides the poor performance of Ekemp International at the re-demonstration of its bid proposal, the media has a deep concern about why the NEC is bent or fascinated on selecting Ekemp International over bidders who are in better financial positions than Ekemp International since the pre-financing was the major requirement for selection of bidder.”

Recommendations

In its recommendations, the committee noticed the absence of the remaining commissioners of the NEC during its public hearings conducted on the matter.

The committee observed that any delay of the pending 2023 general and presidential elections will undermine Liberia’s fragile democracy.

The report has been submitted and debated by the Senate. However, no final decision has been reached on the matter.

Citizens’ reluctant

Already citizens are feeling reluctant to vote or exercise their political franchised due to the failure of the government and other elected officials to failure campaign promises made to them

The high rate of illiteracy in Liberia occasioned with the lack of awareness on the biometric registration would serve as a recipe for confusion and chaos if the process goes ahead as it is.

Despite the situation, Liberians want the next government to concentrate on improving their living conditions by providing job and investment opportunities as part of efforts to boom the economy, instead of focusing on issues that will benefit a selective few in the nation.

They want better road connectivity and the unhindered availability of the nation’s staple food, rice on the local market.

The proposed biometric voter registration may be a blessing or a curse on the post-conflict nation depending on the manner and form in which it is handled by the government and its international partners.

‘This is Confusing Me’: What Liberians Are Saying About Biometric Voting

Matthew Yeabah, resident, Monrovia: To be very frank, I do not understand the meaning of biometric process. This is because awareness has not been created for us to understand the meaning of biometric. But what I really know is the process to get our passport, they tell us that we go through a biometric process. And this is confusing to me because each time you renew your passport, you will follow the same process before you can get your passport.

Emmanuel Gomoyan, Moderator, Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinions: My take on this biometric voter registration is that Liberia is struggling with the digital system: no stable electricity, internet and network connection throughout the country. And looking at the time frame, where there is no set date for voter registration, we must look at it very critically.

James Holmes, Lecturer, University of Liberia: This is a good idea. We all want to see good things in Liberia, but as for me, I have serious problems with the biometric system. And that is, you are introducing a new phenomenon in Liberia. And to make this thing accepted and workable, you need to carry out some sensitization. I believe that NEC is on the right footing, but the issue is we need more sensitization if we don’t want to have the same problem as what we are having with LISGIS. We need robust awareness. This has been working in Ghana, Nigeria and other African countries, but Liberia is just introducing this system.

Spencer Sieh: The biometric process is very important because it is an international standard. In terms of awareness, our people need to do more. Our common people in the rural areas, most of them are not aware. Even the educated ones need to be aware. So, NEC needs to do more awareness. We are going to very crucial elections, and it is important for us to do everything to minimize flaws and get rid of fraud.

Othello Garlay, student and resident, Monrovia:  The Biometric system is really a good system. This is accepted globally. It will stop people from registering more than one time. In this modern time, we should change the dynamics to ensure our electoral system is transparent. But to make it successful, the National Elections Commission should carry the message across- throughout the length and breadth of this country to educate the people because most of them are illiterate.

Alvin Vankpanah, Moderator, Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinions:

The issue of the biometric system is the first of its kind and is welcoming. Remember, we are in the digital age. And I believe the National Elections Commission knows that biometric is helpful in promoting transparency that is why it is introducing it. But in terms of the publicity, the National elections Commissions has not done adequate publicity to inform the citizens about the importance of the biometric system. I understand there is a misunderstanding between the NEC and the PPCC over the awarding of the biometric contract. If it is now settled, then I want to call on the NEC to start awareness now.

Monrovia – Authorities at the National Elections Commission (NEC) have taken their time to carefully respond to qualms raised by the Public Procurement and Concession Committee (PPCC) as it relates to the selection of one of the six companies, including combined ones, to carry out the biometric process of the 2023 voters’ registration cards.

In the NEC’s 10-page letter sent to Att’y Jargbe Roseline Nagbe-Kowo on September 13, 2022, Chief Executive Officer, PPCC, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, Chairperson, NEC, said that they had chosen the Joint Venture of Ekemp  International Limited, INITS Limited, and Palm Insurance Inc., because it was the “most responsive bidder in the international competitive bidding for the IFB No. NEC/VRPLE/ICB/001/2002.” The companies chosen are a combination of three companies, which have poured their resources together to win the bid. One of the three combined entities—Palm Insurance—is a Liberian-owned insurance company. The other two, Ekemp is a Chinese-own and INITS is Nigerian based.

The PPCC, in its September 9, 2022 respond to NEC as it relates to the selection and request for “no objection” for the Joint Venture of Ekemp International Limited, INITS Limited, and Palm Insurance Inc., had raised three “observations.”   

PPCC Observation 1: “That the recommended bidder Ekemp International Limited/INITS Limited/Palm Insurance Inc., Joint Venture Agreement states that Palm Insurance: 3(c) vii: shall provide all pre-financing as may be required for the procurement of materials and services for the effective implementation of the Project, and 2(c) vii: provide all pre-financing in support of the bid process: However, Palm Insurance’s Financial Statement showcasing its financial position, on the contrary, reflects total equity and liabilities of US$2,899,027 at the end of 2021 (December 31st, 2021).”

NEC Response: “Considering that some vendors, irrespective of the information contained in their financial statement, requested advance payment during the signing of the contract and do not pre-finance as a matter of policy, the NEC wishes to inform PPCC that it views the joint responsibilities of Ekemp  International Limited/INITS Limited/Palm Insurance Inc., in its totality (including their commitment found on Page 2, Count 3 of the cover letter of its submission as follows: ‘We confirm that we are capable and able to Pre-finance the supply and delivery of biometric equipment, software & materials for the voter registration for the 2023 general elections.’ With this, the NEC found that the Joint Venture can pre-finance at its level of responsibilities. The three parties in the joint venture are direct service providers and/or original equipment manufacturers, which enables the partners to immediately begin the processes and deliver to the Commission with the timelines required. Moreover, the terms of the contracts, as PPCC is aware, will supersede and each member of the joint venture is held individually and severally responsible/liable.”

PPCC Observation 2: “As per NEC’s Bid Evaluation Report, bidders were also evaluated and inspected on key demonstrations of required functionalities and criteria. The PPCC kindly requests videos of the indicated vendors’ demonstrations; and both hard and soft copies of PowerPoint presentations.”

NEC Response: “The NEC wishes to inform the PPCC that the presentation of vendors was done physically before the Bid Evaluation Panel of which there were only physical demonstrations, no video recording was done, and the Bid Evaluation Panel did not request any PowerPoint presentation be turned over to it. Photos were taken and during the presentation and said photos were submitted to the PPCC on September 2, 2022.”

PPCC Observation 3: “That the Joint Venture Ekemp International Limited/INITS Limited/Palm Insurance Inc. Agreement is not notarized.”

NEC Response: “The NEC wishes to inform the PPCC that the standard bidding document did not require bidders to notarize their joint venture agreement.”

In addition to the pre-finance capacity, expertise, knowledge and experience of Palm Insurance, a partner in the tripartite joint venture with Ekemp and INITS, PPCC again in the same September 9th, 2022 letter, touched on a June 30th 2022 email exchange between bidder Laxton Group Limited and staff of NEC, wherein Laxton sought clarity on the removal of tripod  requirement from the required tablet with fingerprint scanner; and that because the NEC didn’t video-record the bidders’ physical presentation of their respective enrollment and de-duplication processes, the NEC must call the bidders to do a new round of their respective enrollment and de-duplication processes.

Also among other responses, the NEC requested the PPCC to reconsider. The elections body further told the procurement commission that it had provided explanation in its September 2nd, 2022 communication to the PPCC concerning the capability of the joint venture.

“Although the NEC’s response to PPCC Observation 1 requested the PPCC to review the recommended bidder’s submission in its entirety, PPCC’s follow-up communication, dated September 9, 2022, shows that PPCC didn’t review the bidder’s submission it entirety. Had that been done, the PPCC would have seen the page 6 of the audited financial statements of Ekemp shows Ekemp’s turnover from the past two years as follows: January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020: 55,552,785.13HKD [US$707,763.71]; January 1, 2021 to December 2021: 95,527,850.13HKD [US$12,170,555.71].”

The NEC further argues that if the audited financial statement is all that is required to determine a vendor’s capacity to pre-finance, then all would agree that Ekemp’s audited financial statements show that it is also financially capable of pre-financing. “Moreover, the joint commitment of Ekemp, INITS, and Palm to pre-finance (‘We confirm that we are capable and able to pre-finance the supply and delivery of biometric equipment, software and materials for the voter registration for the 2023 general elections,’) as found on page 2, Count 3, of the cover letter, should put to rest any concern as to whether the selected bidder demonstrated its capacity to pre-finance a contract of about US$12 million that will be performed in three stages with payment being made after successful completion of each stage,” it added.

According to the NEC, Ekemp develops, designs and manufactures biometric terminals and provides biometric registration and verification and intelligent identification solutions. “As per their joint agreement, upon the award of the contract, Ekemp shall be responsible for the following provision of goods and services, vis-à-vis, manufacture, test, delivery, installation and customization of Voter Registration Kits and materials for the 2023 Liberia General Elections; will assist in providing training to NEC staff; will provide a sample kit of biometric voter registration equipment, materials and software upon request by the NEC; and will execute the project as stipulated in the bid document and contract award.”

For INITS, the election body states that it specializes in innovative custom-made biometric software development and services and manages same. “INITS will be responsible for the technical support and technology, ensuring the completion of all technical-related services,” Chairperson Brown-Lansanah’s letter to Atty Nagbe-Kowo, said.

The NEC Chairperson after putting forth the entity’s reasons why the tripartite joint venture is best suited for the herculean task ahead, she concluded: “As a Commission that prides itself in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections, the NEC has worked with the confines of the law to be fair to all bidders. Fairness to all bidders, including the joint venture bidder evaluated as most responsive, requires the NEC and the PPCC to act on the actual facts of the procurement process, and review a bidder’s submission in its entirety. As shown in its joint submission and highlighted in this communication, the joint venture of Ekemp, INITS and Palm has demonstrated the capacity to pre-finance and has the requisite expertise, knowledge and experience to perform as required.”

MONROVIA – Presidential aspirant Counselor Tiawan Gongloe has called on authorities of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to reject applications from any of the three former officials of the Government of Liberia (GOL) who recently resigned as a result of the sanctions imposed on them by the United States if they intend to contest the pending 2023 general and presidential elections in the country.

Cllr. Gongloe is the Political Leader of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP) and the former President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA).

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Nathaniel McGill, Solicitor General Cyrennius Cephus and the Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) Bill Tweahway for acts of corruption. The sanctions fall under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

The trio are stalwarts of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).

They were previously suspended from their respective positions by President George Weah, tendered in their resignations.

But speaking in an interview with FrontPageAfrica via telephone on Monday, September 12, Cllr. Gongloe emphasized that the involvement of the three former officials in acts of corruption has negatively affected the nation and its people.

Both McGill and Tweahway have been petitioned to contest the senatorial seats in Rivercess and Bong counties respectively. However, Cephus has not yet declared his intention to contest.

Counselor Gongloe observed that the NEC is heavily supported by the US government during the electioneering period, and as such, authorities of the commission should avoid being sanctioned by rejecting any application to contest the elections from the sanctioned former officials. 

Counselor Gongloe pointed out that the Magnisky Act calls on people to distance themselves from McGill, Tweahway and Cephus, noting that, Liberians should not also be supporting them to excel to any elected position.

 “Liberians should know better that the Americans are helping us and these are the people that have been stealing our monies and that has caused our country not to develop and more poverty in recent times. Now the US has clamped their wings, I don’t think that people should vote for them because those who are sanctioned are prohibited from benefiting from America in any way and using the US dollars.”

“To the extent that the US will be supporting the NEC as one of the countries within the International Community, I strongly believe that NEC should not even approve applications from these people because, by accepting their applications, the NEC may risk not being supported by the US government.”

Counselor Gongloe maintained that the failure of the NEC to reject the applications of the men would be a clear violation of the Magnisky Act, which prohibits sanctioned individuals from benefiting from US resources.

“I strongly believe that they should not even be permitted to run because, it will affect Liberia. If the Government of Liberia has the ability to support the electoral process 100%, they can do so. But to the extent that it depends on the American government money, the US will decide how its money should be used.”

Peace will be undermined

He said Liberia’s peace and stability will also be undermined if the NEC fails to conduct the pending 2023 elections properly, noting that, “in the interest of national security, rights can be denied and that’s why state of emergency are imposed.”

“If people conduct themselves in such a way the US targets and imposes sanctions on them, the whole country should not suffer because of the three of them.”

Counselor Gongloe called on the commission to take a decision on the matter and compel the accused men to take the matter to the Supreme Court if they feel that their rights have been violated.  The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of justice in Liberia.

“The court will see that the sovereignty of Liberia and its citizens is bigger than the three people. And that will be the judgment.”

Weah doubted sanctions report

Speaking further, Counselor Gongloe blasted at President Weah for doubting the sanctions report released on his closed allies by the US government.

He said though the report was substantive, President Weah did not have confidence in it as evidenced by his decision taken to suspend the three men, instead of immediately dismissing and taking other actions to guarantee their prosecution prior to their resignations.

He maintained that the President also risks being sanctioned by the US as a result of his action.

Counselor Gongloe observed that the suspension action taken by the Liberian leader was not effective due to his failure to also request the Ministry of Justice, through the court, to search the homes of the accused for relevant documents that could prosecute them in keeping with the US Treasury Department report.

“The President’s action was not a good national response. With the serious action taken by the US to prevent further theft in government-I think if the President loves this country as he took oath on inauguration day to seek the best interest of Liberia, he should have dismiss them immediately because it was shocking to ordinary people that they could have conducted themselves in that way.”

Counselor Gongloe noted that the sanctioned men would destroyed evidences by “hiding all these things” due to the failure of President Weah to act effectively following the release of the report.

“If I were in his position, I would have even ask the Ministry of Justice to pray for search warrant to search the homes of those people. Perhaps, there was going to be documents taken from their homes that could be so criminal and they could be indicted and prosecuted; or maybe there are private banks to search for money laundering or theft of resources. The government should have taken serious action against these people. By suspending them (before their resignation) means the government is doubting the decision taken by the US government.”

Sour relationship

He emphasized that the doubting of the US Treasury Department by President Weah and his government would sour the relationship subsisting between the two countries.

Counselor Gongloe recalled that the US has trained investigative experts from the FBI, CIA and other agencies, but for the President to only suspend the accused, before their voluntary exit from government, signifies that “information received was not sufficient in order to get them from government.”

He wondered why those who were sanctioned are all political appointees who served at the will and pleasure of the Liberian Chief Executive, but were still being suspended despite the hard facts presented by the US.

“A good President will say anybody who conducts himself in a way that will cause US, our most reliable international partner to declare sanctions against us, him/her shall not enjoy my pleasure anymore and you are out of the government. But because he (Weah) did not do so, he risks sanctions on himself and his entire government. His action was very disrespectful to the US and the consequences of that could be grave for him.”

“If American government gives aid to this country and directly or indirectly it sanctions people and they are allowed to have access or benefit from it, that could be a violation and President Weah and members of the National Elections Commission (NEC) could be sanctioned themselves because, they will be a deliberate actors to undermine the effectiveness of the Magnisky Act which is intended to change behavior.”

He stressed that McGill, Tweahway and Cephus should not be allowed to enjoy all of their rights, but they should be made to feel the pinch of the sanctions.

Counselor Gongloe maintained that by allowing the accused to resign their posts prior to being dismissed for the acts committed, now implies that the Liberian leader has failed to take the appropriate actions.

“President Weah must take the credit for respecting the actions taken by the US. It is good for our foreign relations with the US and controlling bad behavior in our government by improving governance and it is good for our security and welfare.”

Best foreign aid to Liberia

Counselor Gongloe, however, described the sanctions imposed on the trio as “the best foreign aid” of the US to the government and people of Liberia.

“I consider the sanctions to be the best foreign aid the US has given Liberia in recent times. The US has helped Liberia over the years with a lot. But all of those things cannot be compared to the sanctions because, the sanctions is against bad governance, especially greed that is causing officials of government to steal monies meant for the welfare and protection of citizens of this country.”

He observed that the sanctions will bring about good governance, develop the country faster, reduce Liberia’s dependency on other countries, and help strengthen citizens’ including government officials’ ability to protect themselves.

“The sanctions is going to help government save money to improve our health, educational systems and address food insecurity, road system and every aspect of development. It’s going to guide people in government and those who intend to come in government to be careful.”

No justification

Following the imposition of the sanctions, the accused former officials shifted blame and denied their involvement into the acts.

But Counselor Gongloe pointed out that the justifications provided are poor to overturn the sanctions imposed against them.

He said as evidenced by the three men involvement into acts of corruption, some supporters of their own party, CDC were calling for their dismissal prior to the sanctions.

 “I don’t see their statements to be reasons for lifting their sanctions because, every Liberian knows that those sanctioned are corrupt. What the US government did is consented with the general feelings of the Liberian people-except that the Liberian people are powerless and the government has shown no willingness to combat corruption.”

Incentivize to embrace sanctions

On August 16, scores of youths took to the streets in the densely populated township of West Point, chanting pro-slogans for Weah and his government where the President and other government officials had gone in continuation of his tour across Montserrado.

They were heard chanting: “Sanction, no sanction, we’ll vote for George Weah; Protest no, protest we will vote for George Weah, Who you want…ahaaaa da Weah we want,”, among others barely a day after the sanctions were imposed.

But Counselor Gongloe observed that the youths seen in a jubilant mood at the time were “incentivized” to embrace the sanctions.

 “When I heard them singing that song-my information gathered was they were incentivized to sing that song. Having been made poorer by this government than any other government in the past, they are now so weak that officials of the government are coming as humanitarians to give them little gifts to do things. The song was not sang freely, but it was based on motivation by giving them money to buy cold bowl to sing that song for that day.”

Counselor Gongloe added that despite their action, these youths are “getting poorer than before” and are also cognizant of the tough times they are encountering.

He further described government’s fight against corruption as “weak” due to numerous public comments made by the Liberian leader showing unwillingness and lukewarm posture towards the combat.

He, however, called on Liberians to bear in mind that government is a place to serve and not to steal or amass ill-gotten wealth to the detriment of the state and the citizenry.

Monrovia – The opposition CollaboratingPolitical Parties(CPP) has rejected the dates designated as campaign period by the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.

Recently, the NEC published Key Electoral Dates for the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, designating September 4 – October 8, 2023 as “Presidential & Legislative Campaign Period.”

However, in a communication to the NEC’s Board of Commissioners through its Chairperson Davidetta Brown Lansanah, the CPP accused the NEC of setting up the date in favor of President George Weah and his ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) at the detriment of the opposition and called for the time to be extended to 90 days.

“The CPP believes that the NEC prescribed campaign period is biased against and prejudicial to the opposition community and in favor and for the interest of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Party and Presidential Candidate, George M. Weah. Moreover, the current timetable (September 4 – October 8, 2023) is inconsistent with the 2 – 3 months historically prescribed by the NEC for campaigning,” the CPP said in the letter signed by its Secretary-general Aloysius Toe.

Continuing, it said: “Madam Chair and Honorable Commissioners, the CPP sees the latest action by the NEC to allot only 34 days for campaigning in a nationwide presidential and legislative elections as an attempt to deprive and deny opposition political parties the right to canvas for votes within a reasonably adequate period.”

It contended that the designation of 34 days is “unreasonable and inadequate,” and will create the condition for opposition parties not to travel and cover the 43,000 square miles land area of Liberia, and reach the over two million registered voters; something it said incumbent presidential candidate George Weah of the CDC has already done and continues to do.

“The CPP therefore requests the NEC to allow ninety (90) days for all candidates to adequately campaign throughout the length and breadth of Liberia. The request is due to the fact that the raining season extends to the campaign period and most of the roads are deplorably impassable, thus making a vast portion of the country inaccessible. We would appreciate you to convene an IPCC meeting with political parties to discuss this and other issues.”

The CPP which is currently made of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) and the conflict-ridden Liberty Party (LP) said, while it acknowledges the authority of the NEC to prescribe the timetable for political campaigning by candidates for presidential and legislative offices, the CPP also expects and demands that the exercise of such authority should respect and protect the rights of political parties and their candidates to canvas for votes within an adequately reasonable period, as guaranteed by Article 81 of the Liberian Constitution.

Article 81 states that “any citizen, political party, organization or association, being resident in Liberia, of Liberia nationality or origin, and not otherwise disqualified under the provisions of this constitution and laws of the land, shall have the right to canvas for the votes for any political party or candidate at any election…”

The party noted that the NEC’s authority to prescribe the timetable for political campaign also carries a corresponding obligation and duty to exercise such authority within the bounds of reasonable fairness to all parties and ensure a level-playing field, without an appearance of bias and prejudice against opposition political parties and in favor of the ruling Party.

The collaboration recounted that during the 2017 Presidential and General Elections, the NEC designated two months, August 8 – October 8, 2017 as the campaign period; adding  “The CPP wonders why the NEC is now only allotting 34 days for nationwide campaigning.”

“From Presidential to Campaign Tour’

Since 2021 President Weah has been touring entire country, initiatiing several development initiatives and making pledges. The Presidents’ tour was recently climaxed in Montserrado County.

According to the CPP, the President was and actively campaigning for his second term presidential bid, under the guise of “Presidential Nationwide Tour.” It added that President Weah has provided two pickups, one ambulance and ten motorbikes in his own name and not in the name of the government, to each Traditional County Council throughout the country and has made numerous campaign statements.

In addition, the opposition bloc pointed out that the President’s suspended Minister of State, Nathaniel McGill, has also been campaigning throughout the country, dishing out public money to influence votes.

“These actions by leading figures of the ruling CDC clearly show that the ruling Party has been campaigning actively, and continues to do so, despite there being no existence of the formal declaration of the opening of campaign by the NEC – something which opposition parties are prevented from doing in keeping with law” said.

ECC raises Concerns

The CPP’s complaint comes a day after the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC), the largest civil society platform that observes elections called for the extension of the campaign period.

The ECC, in a statement issued on Monday, stated that the one-month period allocated for political campaigns is not enough and should be extended to allow citizens to engage more with the candidates. “The limited time for the campaign also has the tendency to create increased tension as a result of two or more parties or candidates campaigning at the same time in the same location which has a potential to increase electoral violence,” it said.

MONROVIA – The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) said, it welcomed the use of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) for the conduct of the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, but with caution.

The ECC is the largest civil society platform that observes elections in Liberia and is comprised of several pro-democracy organizations including the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG); Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) and the Center for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding (CECPAP).

Other member organizations include the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD); Naymote Partners for Democratic Development; West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP), and the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL).

The ECC works in partnership with Democracy International with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Its comments followed the National Elections Commission’s pronouncement that portable tablets with fingerprint scanners will be used to capture thumbprints for a biometric voter registry.

Announcing the preliminary plans for 2023, National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah said the plan is to transition from optical mark recognition for secure voter registration to fingerprint biometrics.

If it works, this will be the first time NEC will be using the technology for the registration of voters.

The pronouncement has garnered mixed reactions with some in favor and others against, arguing that NEC is not prepared to transition to biometrics.

However, the ECC, in a statement issued on Monday, said the technology, if it is set up properly and in a timely manner, can add value to the quality of the electoral process; thereby minimizing double registration, automatic de-duplication fraud, and manipulation of the voter roll.

The ECC was quick to point out that while it commends the NEC for the transition to BVR, the process is not free of risks, rolling out several recommendations.

“The NEC needs to inform the public which model of the BVR that has been selected and what the pros and cons associated with its usage. The NEC should inform the public about the profile of the vendor that was selected and its track record in managing a BVR system,” it urged.

“The public needs to be informed on the total cost for the purchase and installation of the technology in order to assess its efficiency. This is against the background that the government has allocated US$20 Million in the 2022 national budget.”

It also said it is “deeply concerned” that the voter registration exercise will commence before the completion of the planned national census.

The Legislature recently adopted a joint resolution #001/2022, authorizing the Executive Branch of the Government to proceed to make the necessary preparations for the conduct of the National Census from October 24 to November 7, 2022.

Citing Article 80 (e) of the Liberian Constitution which provides constituencies to be apportioned by the NEC in accordance with the new population figures; the ECC called for the registration exercise should place after the conduct of Liberia’s National Population and Housing Census and demarcation of the constituencies based on the population size in order to avoid the misplacement of voters.

The ECC noted that while the BVR may eradicate double registration, it will not solve the issue of voter trucking which is associated with vote buying, a phenomenon that is becoming institutionalized in the country’s fragile democracy.

Commenting on October 27, 2022, the planned date of the official launch of civic voter education (CVE), the ECC said it is approximately two months to the commencement of the voter registration process which is on December 15, 2022.

Considering that the NEC is moving on to a completely new system that has never been used before, neither has it been piloted, two months for CVE is not sufficient to ensure adequate awareness and participation of citizens or voters, it noted.

Further in the statement, the ECC pointed out that the one-month period allocated for a political campaign is not enough and should be extended to allow citizens to engage more with the candidates.

“The limited time for the campaign also has the tendency to create increased tension as a result of two or more parties or candidates campaigning at the same time in the same location which has a potential to increase electoral violence.” It then called on the NEC to strengthen its engagement with stakeholders including political parties and civil society organizations on the procurement and installation of the BVR so as to engender national ownership of the process.