By Bill W. Cooper
United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy says the U.S Government will not give cash for the conduct of the elections in Liberia instead its assistance will be channeled through the USIAD supported activities surrounding elections.
“Today, with one quarter of the calendar year already behind us, the NEC has yet to receive any of its 2023 funding even though we are less than seven months away from elections and this is a situation that should alarm every Liberian,” Ambassador McCarthy stressed.
The U.S diplomat then urged the Ministry of Finance to immediately provide the National Elections Commission (NEC) with its full budget for the conduct of a free, fair and transparent election in October.
The U.S diplomat also called on the government to ensure that the NEC has the necessary resources to effectively prepare for and implement all aspects of the electoral processes leading to the October 10 polls.
The U.S diplomat’s assertion comes following a pronouncement from the Board of Commissioners of the NEC that the Finance Ministry is yet to available the full amount of the funds intended for the conduct of the elections.
The NEC through its Chairperson, Davidetta Brown-Lansanah stated that although the government has made available US$4 million as part payment of the NEC US$33 million for the conduct of the elections, the Commissions is yet to receive the remaining funds.
However, the American Ambassador to Liberia during a roundtable interaction with journalists at his U.S. Embassy yesterday in Monrovia stated, “I am encouraged by President Weah’s statement at the UNGA pledging his government support to a free and fair elections in the country.”
“Liberia’s international partners share that goal, but we believe as with the integrity institutions that it cannot be achieved unless the NEC is fully funded by the government of the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador has condemned the recent violence that occurred at some polling centers and is encouraging all Liberians to register/participate in the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) in a more peaceful manner.
He added, “I also want to encourage the NEC to move quickly to provide the promised meal and training allowances and as well visit various polling centers to observe the process, and I am looking forward to joining one of those observation teams later this week.”
