By Bill W. Cooper
With barely four months to the conduct of the October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections, the National Elections Commission (NEC) says the government is yet to make available the full amount requested by the Commission for the successful conduct of the elections.
In 2022, the Government approved US$33m for the National Elections Commission to finance the conduct of the October 10, 2023 polls.
The Commission told reporters that US$4m was received as portion of a US$10m promised by the Ministry of Finance for phase one of the US$33 million for the entire electoral process.
According to NEC chairperson, Davidetta Browne-Lassanah, the government had promised to provide the balance funds for the elections, but so far, only a minute portion of the amount has been received.
The NEC boss expressed concern that the delay on the part of the government to provide the full amount for the conduct of the elections could have serious consequences for the smooth conduct of the October 10 polls.
“Even though negations are ongoing, but let it be known that the Commissions is yet to receive the full funding for the elections,” she stressed.
The NEC chairperson spoke yesterday, June 14, 2023 during the starts of the NEC 2023 candidate nomination exercise at the Samuel Kayon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex in Paynesville.
The process which runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, is expected end on July 14, 2023.
The NEC is mandated organize and conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in Liberia, but said process will be closely watched by the international community, which has a vested interest in ensuring that Liberia remains stable and peaceful.
In 2023, the Commission concluded the training of temporary elections staff, conducted the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) and has also commenced the Voter Roll Exhibition as well as the candidate nomination process, while issues surrounding the withdrawal of nomination or application, verification of party or candidate office, disclosure of assets and liabilities, printing ballot papers, and procuring other election materials are still lingering in tin at the National Elections Commission.
The GoL’s delay in disbursing the remaining amount for the conduct of the elections has created uncertainty and anxiety among stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, and the citizenry, as many are concerned that the delay could lead to logistical challenges, such as the late delivery of election materials, which could result in the postponement of the elections.
However, the NEC Boss disclosed that the Commissions is working closely with the government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to secure the remaining funds for the elections.
She expressed hope that the outstanding funds will be released in the soonest possible time so as to empower the Commission to fulfil its national duties.
However, Madam Brown- Lassanha is appealing to international partners to support the NEC’s efforts to ensure that the elections are held on schedule.
She emphasized that the Commission remains committed to organizing credible and peaceful elections in October despite the many challenges, and therefore called on all political parties and candidates to adhere to the electoral laws and regulations, and to refrain from any acts of violence or intimidation.
Meanwhile, commenting on the ongoing Voter Roll Exhibition, madam Browne-Lassanah expressed her regret over the poor turnout of Liberians at various centers to form party of the process which she said will help citizens verify their personal data, noting that there will be no extension of the process.
For the Candidate Nomination, the NEC Boss warned that there will be no extension for the process which started Wednesday, June 14, 2023 and expected to end July 14, 2023 on grounds that political parties and independent candidates are reneging to show up for their package.
Madam Browne-Lassanh stressed, “I am saying this because in as much as we made these announcements, there were very few aspirants who came to the center to get their package, and this is not good for the starts of the nomination process and the elections.”
“The candidate nomination process is the most critical and a very important aspect of the elections. It is the process that will qualify a candidate to go out and canvas for elected seats. So, the NEC will not, must not, and should not extend the nomination process, and no number of politicking will force the commissions to do so,” she asserted.
It can be recalled that the delay in funding is not the only challenge the NEC is experiencing ahead of the October elections, as the commission was also engulfed with the question of whether or not to use the BVR which was a new phenomenon in the Liberia electoral system.
On the issues of the concerns and complains, the NEC assured the public that it is carefully considering all the issues related to the BVR system, and other issues facing the commissions and urged all stakeholders to respect its decision, and to work together to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and transparent.
