By Bill W. Cooper
The ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) organized appreciation rally aimed at expressing gratitude to President George M. Weah for what they described as an ‘exemplary leadership’, exhibited since his ascendancy to the country’s Presidency.
However, the much-publicized gathering dubbed “President Weah Thank You” has since drawn criticism from political rivals and citizens alike, with some saying that the rally has now set the stage for aspirants to engage in pre-campaign activities in the country.
They argued that the ‘President Weah Thank You’ rally also violates the National Elections Commission (NEC) pre-campaigning regulations, issued recently by the Commission.
The rally, which was held yesterday, at the headquarters of the CDC, has further sparked a heated debate surrounding the fairness, funding violation and integrity of the upcoming elections.
The NEC pre-campaigning regulations were intended to ensure a level playing field for all political parties involved in the electoral process.
These guidelines prohibit political parties from engaging in any form of campaigning, whether by the organizing of political rallies and posting of aspirants’ images before the official campaign period begins.
The NEC’s recently issued release further warned that violation of these regulations carries penalties, including fines and potential disqualification from the electoral process.
The ‘Weah Thank You’ rally was attended by thousands of party supporters who featured speeches praising President Weah’s achievements during his tenure.
Supporters wore party colors, waved flags and chanted slogans in support of the ruling party, with the event causing serious traffic jam, thus affecting the free movement of citizens and vehicles.
In an interview with some Liberians, including business men and women, they were quick to condemn the rally, accusing the CDC of using the event as a disguised campaign strategy to gain an unfair advantage ahead of the official campaign period.
They argue that the rally’s purpose was to generate momentum and maintain the ruling party’s popularity among voters in response to their critics, thereby influencing the upcoming elections.
A taxi driver, John Zayzay, expressed his disappointment, stating, “The CDC’s Weah Thank You rally, especially held on a Monday, is a blatant violation of the NEC’s regulations and an affront to us as commercial drivers.”
“In fact, it is clear that they are attempting to circumvent the rules to gain an upper hand in the election. Such actions undermine the integrity of the democratic process and erode public trust in our institutions,” he said.
The NEC, responsible for overseeing the electoral process, is yet to condemn or issue any statement on the matter, even though there has been the posting of images of other aspirants in some counties in Liberia.
According to Mary Zeon, a shop owner, the situation might also cause them serious losses in their business, pointing out that said decision is a recipe for chaos.
She also stressed the need for the NEC to enforce its elections’ regulations impartially and without any political bias, ensuring that all parties are held accountable for any violations.
In a democratic society and as Liberians prepare to go to the polls in October, it is crucial that political parties adhere to the rules and regulations set by electoral bodies to ensure fair and transparent elections.
Meanwhile at the ‘Weah Thank You’ Rally, CDC chairperson, Mulbah Morlu said, “We stand beside our leader, President George Weah, as we approach the campaign season, we will work diligently to consolidate the gains made so far and ensure that our party remains at the forefront of progress and development in Liberia and a one round victory is certain in October.”
Accordingly, the CDC’s “Weah Thank You” Rally does not only exhibit the party’s unwavering support for President Weah, but also aimed to mobilize its base and energize supporters ahead of the upcoming campaign season.
He noted that the event also showcased the party’s commitment to the principles of democracy, inclusiveness, and good governance, which have been central to President Weah’s administration.
As the rally came to a close, supporters departed with a renewed sense of optimism and determination to actively participate in the democratic process.
The event served as a reminder of the transformative potential of effective leadership and the power of collective action in driving progress and development.
