Liberia Immigration Services (LIS) says it has put in place measures intended to prevent interference of citizens from neighboring countries in the October Presidential and Legislative elections.
The LIS did not make specific disclosure of the preventive measures it will put in place, but said said during the Biometric Voters’ Registration (BVR) exercise, score of citizens from neighboring countries who participated in the process were arrested by the joint security.
LIS’s Commissioner, Robert Budy told the weekly Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism (MICAT) press briefing yesterday in Monrovia that the LIS, an armed border patrol unit, are either deployed or are patrolling towns and villages in bordering communities.
“These officers will take all precautionary measures to ensure that there would be no illegal entry into the country during these elections,” the LIS boss said.
He informed the press that some foreigners from neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone were arrested during the BVR exercise which did not augur well for the sister state relationship among ECOWAs countries.
“So, we are doing all in powers to ensure that this does not happen during the October 10 election,” the LIS boss observed.
Budy hopes that the peace and stability of the country which is paramount will be maintained by every Liberian and foreigners residing within its borders.
“It is our hope that all of us will respect the elections law of this country as anyone caught violating will face the full weight of the las,” Commission Budy warned.
“There are 176 entry points and 46 of these entry points are guided by immigration officers and police officers. We will use our security expertise to ensure that these elections will be of violence and only Liberians carrying the BVR card will participate in the process,” he assured Liberians.
However, the LIS described the Liberia-Ivory Coast borders as critical because, according to him, it is where persons considered as fugitives used to jump bill or escape arrest whenever they are accused of committing heinous crimes.
“We have arrested many persons who attempted leaving the country illegal after they attempted escaping arrest,” LIS chief said boastfully.
