The National Elections Commission (NEC) requirements for independent candidate ranging from President to Vice President, senator and representative are posing serious challenge to many aspirants in term of meeting those registration requirements before qualifying to contest for elective public office in pending October polls later this year.
Many aspirants who do not want to contest on the ticket of political party are considering withdrawing from the exercise which might apparently be the cause for low turnout at NEC’s local offices nationwide since the nomination process got underway June 14.
Unlike some political parties under whose covering their candidates enjoy, independent aspirants for the presidency, senator and representative might not reach the finish line to emerge as candidates due to the ‘unrealistic’ requirements by NEC.
This is evidenced by the NEC two-page document obtained by this paper as per the requirement of those seeking elective public office in the pending elections.
The document stated that for spolitical party’s candidate for President and Vice President, they must have a sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to citizenship; sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to domicile or residency; tax clearance; voter registration card; Liberian passport, driver license or national identification card.
Others are receipt showing payment of registration fee of US$2, 500 for President and US$1, 500 for Vice President; bank statement showing deposit of US$10, 000 by the party; proof of indemnity or insurance bond of US$100, 000; information on established office in the capital of the country and counties; notarized letter of authorized to verify bank account; and notarized letter of authorization to verify indemnity insurance bond.
While for independent candidate requirements for president and vice president, there must be a sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to citizenship; sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to domicile or residency; tax clearance; voter registration card; Liberian passport, driver license and national identification card.
Others are receipt showing payment of registration fee of US$2, 500 for president; and US$1, 500 for vice president; bank statement of US$10, 000 (president only); proof of indemnity or insurance bond of US$100, 000 (president only); proof of residency in Liberia for the immediate 10 years preceding a general election in which he or she intends to contest; minutes of all meeting held (presidency only).
Also, they are required to have a notarized petition listing of 500 qualified voters from each of at least six counties in the country (shall be arranged by county), including the names, age, genders, telephone number(s) (if applicable), addresses, voters identification card numbers, photograph, date and signatures or fingerprint(s), of petitioners (president only).
A non-refundable processing fees for petition listing of US$1, 800 (president only); proof of publication of petition listing in two reputable newspapers concomitantly done in times new roman 12-point front size (president only); logo of the candidate on a CD (president only);
Needed also are candidate’s objective statement; information on established office in the capitol of the counties (president only); notarized letter of authorization to verify bank account and (president only); and notarized letter of authorization to verify indemnity insurance bond (president only).
For independent candidate requirement for Senator, a sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to citizenship; sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to domicile or residency; tax clearance; voter registration card; voter registration card; Liberian passport, driver license and national identification card.
Others are receipt showing payment of registration fee of US$750.00 for Senate; bank statement of US$10, 000; proof of indemnity or insurance bond of US$100, 000; notarize petition listing of 500 qualified voter for Senator in the county, including the names, age, genders, telephone number(s) (if applicable), addresses, voters identification card number(s), photograph, date and signatures or fingerprint(s), of the petitioners.
A non-refundable processing fees for petition listing of US$700; proof of publication listing in two reputable Liberian newspapers concomitantly done in times new roman 12-point front-size; minutes of all meetings held; logo of the candidate on a CD; candidate objective statement; information on established office in the capital of the county; notarized letter of authorized to verify bank account; and notarized letter of authorization to verify indemnity insurance bond.
The same with independent candidate requirements for Representative, sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to citizenship; sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to domicile or residency; tax clearance; voter registration card; voter registration card; Liberian passport, driver license and national identification card.
Others are receipt showing payment of registration fee of US$500 for Representative; bank statement of US$10, 000 by the aspirant; proof of indemnity or insurance bond of US$100, 000; notarized petition listing of 300 qualified voter for representative in the country, including the names, age, genders, telephone number(s) (if applicable), addresses, voters identification card number(s), of the petitioners.
A non-refundable processing fees for petition listing of US$500; proof of publication listing in two reputable Liberian newspapers concomitantly done in times new roman 12-point front-size; minutes of all meetings held; logo of the candidate on a CD; and candidate objective statement.
Provide information on established office in the capital of the district; notarized letter of authorized to verify bank account; and notarized letter of authorization to verify indemnity insurance bond.
While political party’s candidate requirements for senate, a sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to citizenship; sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to domicile or residency; tax clearance; voter registration card; passport, driver license and national identification card.
Others are receipt showing payment of registration fee of US$750 for Senate; bank statement of US$10, 000 by the party; proof of indemnity or insurance bond of US$100, 000; information on established office in the capitol of the county; notarized letter of authorization to verify bank account and notarized letter of authorization to verify indemnity insurance bond.
While independent candidate for representative, he or she shall submit a sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to citizenship; sworn declaration or affidavit attesting to domicile or residency; tax clearance; voter registration card; Liberian passport (if any), national or international driver license and national identification card.
Others are receipt showing payment of registration fee of US$500 for Representative; bank statement of US$10, 000 by the party; proof of indemnity or insurance bond of US$100, 000; information on established office in the capitol of the district; notarized letter of authorization to verify bank account and notarized letter of authorization to verify indemnity insurance bond.
