By Bill W. Cooper
The National Elections Commission (NEC) says it has received a check of US$4 million from the Ministry of Finance to begin the processes leading to the conduct of the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
The Commission, through its chairperson, Davidetta Brown-Lansanah stated that the US$4 million as received is a portion of the US$10 million promised by the Ministry of Finance for phase one of the US$33 million for the entire electoral process.
Providing update about the process at a major press conference over the weekend, Madam Brown-Lansanah explained that the Commission earlier submitted a budget of US$91 Million but was drastically adjusted to US$91, 88, 73, 61, 51 and 33 million following discussions between the Commission, the Legislature and the Ministry of Finance.
“So, the Ministry of Finance then agreed to provide the funds into three phases. US$10 million was allotted for phase one between now and March 15, 2023; the same amount to phase two for April 15, 2023, and US$13 million to phase three for May 15, 2023 and it is the final phase of the process,” she said.
At the same time, the NEC Boss further disclosed that the Biometric Voter’s Registration (BVR) process is ongoing across the country, thereby revealing that some materials for the nationwide exercise arrived in the country some weeks ago, coupled with the training of staff and the competition of the training of trainers for the smooth conduct of the process.
The NEC Boss indicated that several BVR demonstrations had been done, including marketing associations and political parties, and also revealed plans underway with the consent of the Liberian Senate, to do a demonstration for both Houses of the 54th Legislature.
As per the funding for the BVR process, Madam Brown-Lansanah stated that the Commission has also received from the government US$18 million out of the US$20 million promised to ensure the conduct of the process.
“But we are anticipating that the government will remit the remaining US$2 million because we have activities already in place for said money and if we do not receive it, we will be constrained to drop or reduce our activities of which we don’t want to,” she intoned.
For the issues of pre-campaigning activities being done by some political parties and aspirants, the NEC Boss stated, “The Commission has already put into place a regulation on pre-campaigning and other aspects leading to the elections.”
“We have completed those regulations and are expected to be publishing soon and I can assure you that the Commission will enforce those regulations to the fullest against anybody that will be in violation,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, the NEC Boss is at the same time calling on the government to ensure the provision of the remaining funds for both the BVR process and the general elections so as to enable the Commission execute its Constitutional duty through the conduct of a free, fair and transparent elections.
She maintained, “As we all know, Elections is all about planning and we hope to receive all of the money to enable us execute our plans because the Commission has already put in place for everything to happen and ensure the smooth conduct of the elections come October 10, 2023.”
“But we are anticipating that the government will remit the remaining US$2 million because we have activities already in place for said money and if we do not receive it, we will be constrained to drop or reduce our activities of which we don’t want to,” she intoned.
For the issues of pre-campaigning activities being done by some political parties and aspirants, the NEC Boss stated, “The commission has already put into place a regulation on pre-campaigning and other aspects leading to the elections.”
“We have completed those regulations and are expected to be publishing soon and I can assure you that the commission will enforce those regulations to the fullest against anybody that will be in violation,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, the NEC Boss is at the same time calling on the government to ensure the provision of the remaining funds for both the BVR process and the general elections so as to enable the commission to execute its Constitutional duty through the conduct of a free, fair and transparent elections.
She maintained, “As we all know, Elections is all about planning and we hope to receive all of the money to enable us execute our plans because the commission has already put in place for everything to happen and ensure the smooth conduct of the elections come October 10, 2023.”
