The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) says it welcomes recent statements from the US Embassy calling on the Liberian government to ensure that the upcoming October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections are fair, free, and peaceful.
Recently, the US Government, through its Chargé d’Affaires to Liberia, Catherine Rodriguez, stated, “The United States is also prepared to assist in efforts to keep these elections free, fair, and peaceful, by holding accountable anyone responsible for engaging in activities to undermine the democratic election process in Liberia, through additional measures such as sanctions.”
The LNBA, through a release issued yesterday in Monrovia, stressed that the US Government’s call, which also stressed the need for the investment of an adequate level of money, personnel, and organizational resources to protect citizens, candidates, polling stations, and election workers from intimidation or harm, cannot be overemphasized.
“In this light, the LNBA fully appreciates the US Government’s recent disclosure that as a long-standing partner with Liberia, along with the international community, it has been working closely with the National Elections Commission (NEC) to make sure that election observers have full access to polling stations during Election Day, as well as access to vote tallying,” the Bar noted.
The Bar at the same time calls on all eligible Liberian citizens to navigate the pending electoral process with courage and conviction, and must see it as a solemn responsibility and civil duty to freely participate in elections to choose their leaders, which is an indispensable principle of a vibrant rule of law regime.
According to the Bar, the successful holding of these elections will further cement the democratic gains made over the years and as such, it will not condone any reckless actions from any anti-democratic elements desirous of undermining the peace and tranquility currently being enjoyed by Liberians.
The Bar, through its release, also assured the public that no one has the capacity to rig the October 10 polls, as is being speculated, and added, “Absolutely, there is no window of opportunity for anyone to derail the peace of the country, as we have received sufficient commitment from international partners that such actions by anyone will be materially consequential.”
Meanwhile, the Bar furthered that it is also in full agreement with the former Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, that “manipulation of electoral results in recent times has taken place at collection centers.”
In that light, the Bar further called on the NEC to Institute robust polling and results management processes, with clear procedures and instructions, in a manner known to the stakeholders way ahead of elections.
