Monrovia – Prior to the upcoming 2023 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia, the National Elections Commission has formally started its civic and voter education program on the country’s biometric voter registration. NEC Co-Chairperson Counselor Teplah Reeves announced the start of civic and voter education and expressed the commission’s hope that the entire nation would be aware of the biometric registration process.
She claims that the NEC has hired 81 civil society cells, including artistic, dramatic, and CSOs, to spread the word about the BVR exercise to all villages, helmets, and voters in the 73 electoral districts. She urged members of religious establishments, women’s organizations, and youth organizations to support the campaign for effective civic and voter instruction.
On behalf of the UN Coordinator, Christine N. Umutoni, UN Women Country Representative Comfort Lamptey thanked NEC and partners for their ongoing support in the development of democratic and electoral procedures that will result in a credible election on October 10, 2023. To ensure that its citizens are conscious of and involved in the political process that will lead to participatory elections, she contends that civic and voter education is essential for any democracy. She urged women to participate in the political process and run against their male peers in order to benefit from the level playing field and smooth transition in politics.
Attorney Nathan Garbie, the NEC’s deputy executive director for programs, also made a point to emphasize how important it is for Liberians to be aware of the country’s election laws. He contended that the commission cannot adequately inform the electorate about the nation’s new electoral laws on its own because elections are a process that begins with voter registration, education, and awareness, continues with voting, and conclude with the declaration of the results. A brigade made up of the NEC board of commissioners, staff, civil society organizations, cultural, and dramatic groups paraded the main streets earlier in the day before an interior program was held in the conference room on Ninth Street in Sinkor.
The ceremony, held under the theme: “Strengthening and Increasing Citizens Participation,” was graced by a large number of people including civil society organizations, representatives of the political parties, and the diplomatic corps among many others.
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
