The Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), says inadequate funding from the Weah-led government could amount to dangerous delay in figuring out the credibility and transparency of the 2023 general elections.
The CPP’s Standard Bearer, Alexander Cummings, alarmed over the growing perception of incompetence and corruption surrounding the contract of a vendor for the biometric voter registration by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
He admonished the NEC to scrupulously follow the public procurement process and contract laws, learn preferably from other democratic countries, and select the best competent and qualified vendor with impeccable proven track records and abilities.
Cummings urged the NEC to also urgently seek technical assistance at government expense, to execute the smooth transition to the biometric system, noting that the NEC has had no internal experience or proven capacities, working with a biometric system.
“We strongly encourage the government of President George Weah to act consistent with the Liberian Constitution to provide the needed resources to the NEC and do so with urgency,” Mr. Cummings said when he spoke to the media Monday, October 31 at a called conference at the party’s headquarters.
Meanwhile, he said, “Since 2018, President Weah has fooled around with the conduct of the National Housing and Population Census. Less than a year before the Presidential and General elections in 2023, the administration is still playing around with the conduct of the census which, is a constitutional demand.”
Cummings said “Presidents of Liberia who will not obey and honor the Liberian Constitution deserve not to be regarded as a leader,” and noted that Liberia will not tolerate any compromise in the character and integrity of its democracy and election system.
The CPP Standard Bearer said five years into the President’s administration, Weah has absolutely no idea how to fix the economy and the problems they have worsened.
Cummings said amidst the difficult economic challenge, and rampant corruption, and with concerted efforts to end their failed leadership in 2023, President Weah and administration are conniving to create serious problems in the electoral process and undermine the country’s hard-won democracy.
The CPP Standard Bearer said the last and important duty of any democratic government is to provide for free and fair conduct of democratic elections for citizens to choose their leaders and ensure the smooth and peaceful transfer of power.
Cummings said repeatedly that the Weah-led administration has acted not to obey the constitutional demand for the timely conduct of elections, which will not be permitted and tolerated.
He said the 2023 Presidential and General elections as well as all its attending process and procedures must be adhered to as provided by the Liberian Constitution, and that as opposition Leader, he is duty bound to hold the Weah administration to its sworn responsibility.
Cummings reaffirmed a CPP Government commitment to ending the suffering of the Liberian people, reunite the country, grow the economy, provide opportunities for youth, empower women and create decent paying jobs for all working class.
Cummings said serious investors need responsible and competent government that can be trusted to prevent public stealing, and with a strong justice and improve accountability systems.
