OUTLINES DIFFICULTIES IN 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Monrovia, Liberia – NEC has been urged by EISA to conduct due diligence in accordance with the election process. The problems and recommendations made by the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) point to the necessity for the National Election Commission to implement the election laws.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the Cape Hotel in Monrovia, Dr. Nevers Mumba, the president of the EISA observation mission and a former president of the Republic of Zambia, suggested that the government enact legislation requiring gender quotas for female candidates in accordance with Liberia International’s affirmative action pledge.
In order to minimize risks and logistical difficulties and to allow voter parties, EISA Boss advised the government to look into the potential of lawfully changing election day to a time that does not coincide with the rainy season. He remarked that in order to uphold the elections law, the government need to prosecute offences like voter trafficking.
He encouraged the NEC to work with civil society organizations to enhance civic and voter education and to bolster public communication by emphasizing important processes and being more proactive, responsive, and precise.
Dr. Nevers cautioned NEC to establish a county-level version of the Inter-Party Consultative Committee as a substitute for increasing voter education In order to speed up the voting process and make polling places more livable in terms of size and ventilation, more voting booths should be installed.
In addition to taking the lead in promoting peace, he advised political parties to adopt the amended Farmington River Declaration’s tenets and strategically situate their party agents to ensure that no more than two representatives from the same party are present in a single voting location.
He proposed that combined security prioritize the deployment of security officers to voting locations with higher population densities and representation. According to him, the media covers election-related issues professionally, especially when there’s a chance for tensions and confrontations to develop.
Additionally, Dr. Nevers Mumba advised young people to avoid being coerced or manipulated, to avoid joining militant organizations during elections, and to establish a voice agency in order to advocate for electoral changes that guarantee their representation and participation.
Acknowledging the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections, Dr. Mumba advised political parties to refrain from meddling with the NEC’s constitutional function of declaring the results of the polls.
“The mission recognizes Liberians’ peaceful and enthusiastic involvement in the voting process. EISA observers expressed confidence in the conduct of NEC staff members, noting that the agency diligently fulfills its duties, often in the face of challenging circumstances. While the nation waits for the official results announcement and counting procedure, EISA urges all interested parties, supporters, law enforcement, and the media to maintain the election day’s peace.”
