By Bill W. Cooper
In view of the huge number of invalid votes reported during the October 10 General Elections, the Civics and Service International (CSI) has disclosed plans to intensify its Civic Voters Education (CVE) awareness to help reduce the invalid votes in future elections.
The CSI, through its Country Director, Otis S. Bundor, stated that his organization will, in time to come, strengthen the importance and how to mark ballot papers properly in their civic education program, especially their civic clubs in various high schools.
He said, “Civic education needs to be prioritized by the Government of Liberia and all developmental partners, not only during elections, but before, because it is crucial to a functional democracy.”
“For close to a decade, CSI has been working to make sure all citizens are not just aware of how to vote, but to know their rights and responsibilities. Invalid votes do not only undermine democracy, but they also deny many citizens from electing leaders of their choice,” Bundor noted.
The CSI’s promise came following a huge number of invalid votes accrued during the October 10 and November 14 elections, 112,875, and 25,788 voters respectively.
At the end of the Presidential Run-off Election, the NEC Chairperson announced that 1,634,183 Liberians voted in the run-off, of which 1,608,395 cast valid votes and 25,788 cast invalid votes, accounting for 1.6 percent.
According to Bundor, with support from the OSIWA, CSI wrote a comprehensive civic textbook for junior and senior students called the “LAW+YOU: Rights and Responsibilities of Citizen”.
This, he maintained, that since the Government authorized these textbooks to be taught in schools, it is yet to be taught, expressing his disappointment in authorities of the country’s educational sector.
He also called on all well-meaning partners to collaborate and make sure these textbooks are in schools across Liberia, because it will contribute immensely to reducing invalid votes and building the fabric of our society.
“I also want to appreciate the people of Liberia for voting peacefully, President George M. Weah for accepting the 2023 Presidential Run-off result, and I congratulate President-elect, Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, for his victory.
We now look forward to a peaceful and resilient country and call for a judicial reform. With funding from the Swedish, Irish, Dutch Governments, and European Union, through UNDP, CSI is currently implementing the ‘Liberate Liberia Lawfully’ project, which is an offspring of the ‘Liberia Elections Support Project’ in Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties,” he added.
Bundor asserted, “The project seeks to provide civic education and promote peaceful coexistence. We are grateful to our partners for the support and look forward to future collaboration.”
