By Bill W. Cooper
With 14 days left to the conduct of the October 10 general elections, the Alliance for Transitional Justice-Liberia (ATJ) has called on Liberians to embrace a violence-free, fair, and transparent electoral process, which, it stressed, can cement Liberia’s democratic gains to secure peace and reconciliation.
The Alliance for Transitional Justice which is a conglomeration of 16 civil society organizations also stated that the upcoming general elections mark a historic turning point in country’s democratic journey, and emphasized that a credible election will uplift Liberia as a powerful role model by any post-war country.
Addressing a news conference Tuesday, September 26, 2023 in Monrovia, Founder of Alliance for Transitional Justice, Jeremiah S. Swen, maintained, “State and non-state actors should timely review and make determination, and ensure the generated designated funds obtained from the government and National Elections Commission and partners address the budget gaps. This will ensure the efficiency, quality and credibility of the election.”
According to him, sincere efforts must be exerted by timely notifying the public about availability of funds to finance the second run-off, because this will reduce misperception or disinformation, and guarantee the credibility of the election.
Swen said the timely publication of the voters roll and comprehensive detail constituting the total eligible voters per counties, gender and first time voters, and disqualified voters, will increase public confidence in the upcoming election results.
He furthered that the NEC’s timely mid-week briefing, led by its Chairperson and other commissioners, which is aimed at strengthening trust, securing confidence, denying misinformation and disinformation, hate speech, and enhancing civil education on what constitute election offense and violations, and citizens right to vote, remains key to the election process.
Swen further called for increased support to women-led civil society organizations to enhance candidate resilience, promote community dialogues, and strengthen candidates outreach platforms and image.
“There have been waves of treatments that derived from social, tribal, and religious biases meted against women and has tremendously impacted women’s overall political participation and presentation, and the decline in the elevation of women’s sensitive agenda and empowerment,” Swen said.
Meanwhile, Swen said there is a need for measures to be put into place to unwind nightmares that threaten the election and ensure the citizens’ trust. He frowned on hate speech during these elections and urged the National Elections Commission to institute measures as the New Election Law places fines on those involved in hate speech.
The Alliance for Transitional Justice-Liberia is a central transitional Justice coordinating platform that represents 16 national institutions, including non-for-profit, faith-based, legal, and educational and research, youth and women focused organizations, and civil war massacre survivors’ networks.
Top among the organizations are Lutheran Church in Liberia, Liberia Annual Conference, Federation of Liberian Youth, Foundation for International Dignity, Liberia Legal Initiative, Defense for Children International-Liberia, Organization for Women and Children, among others.
