By Patrick N. Tokpah (Bong contributor)
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has launched its second phase of the nationwide Civic and Voter Education (CVE) in nine counties as part of preparations ahead of the 2023 general and presidential elections in Liberia.
Phase II of the Civic and Voter Education exercise was simultaneously launched in Bong, Grand Gedeh, Nimba, River Gee, Rivercess, Sinoe, Grand Kru, Lofa, and Maryland
The CVE launch started with a grand parade from the NCE local office in Gbarnga to the Gbarnga Administration Building and later commenced with an indoor program.
Giving the overview of the Civic and Voters’ Education (CVE), Commissioner Barsee Leo Kpangbai said it is important for the Commission to roll out the CVE process as the nation goes toward the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
He further said the aim of the CVE launch is to encourage all citizens, irrespective of status, that have attained the age of 18 years and above to turn out to register during the voter registration exercise from April 21 to May 11.
The campaign, according to Commissioner Kpangbai is intended to raise awareness about the voter registration process, which will be done in the phase II counties in Liberia.
The NEC Commissioner said to ensure mass community participation in the CVE campaign, the Commission has hired community-based organizations (CBO) to serve as CVE cells in the various counties in other to support the outreach activities in the country.
Commissioner Kpangbai told the gathering that the issue of election is everyone’s business that is why they have started the process before beginning the registration in order to enable citizens to have access to the basic information they need during the registration period and the time of voting.
He said the awareness is important to the voter’s registration process and all Liberians should see this as their constitutional right and get involved in it in other to make their voices be heard by taking part in the upcoming election because anyone can only vote by getting registers by the NEC.
Also speaking at the launching ceremony of the CVE in Gbarnga over the Weekend, the Co-Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves said the launch comes when Liberians are getting ready to use the first-ever Biometric Registration in the history of Liberia.
The NEC Co-Chair said they want the awareness to go across the entire country in the coming days as they have trained over CVE workers throughout the country.
Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves at the same time called on all CVE workers to be more professional as they go about doing the Liberian people’s work, especially before the start of phase II of the Biometric Registration process.
She revealed that the Commission is forever grateful to its international partners for the level of support they continue to receive since the start of the process, stating as a Commission they will work in the interest of Liberia.
The Bong County Superintendent, Esther Walker speaking through a proxy, Josephus Dormyan lauded the NEC for the level of transformation they have carried on since the start of the process.
He encouraged community members and traditional leaders to come out in order to help create awareness that will help stop the issues of people registering twice.
The Administrative Assistant said they are going to work closely with the National Elections Commission as local government authorities in creating more awareness as the country goes towards the pending 2023 elections.
