Monrovia, Liberia – With less then 14, days to the conduct of the October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections, the National Elections Commission Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah reaffirmed NEC commitment to conducting a free fair, transparent and credible elections in the country.
Addressing a news Conference on Tuesday, September 26,2023 in Monrovia, the NEC boss disclosed that activities leading to a successful conduct of the October General elections remain on course.
She added in keeping with the operational plans, the NEC has received ballot papers for the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections in the country.
The head of the election house noted that the ballot papers arrived in the country on Monday September 25, 2023 from the West African State of Ghana via the Roberts International Airport in Margibi county.
She stated that the presidential ballot papers contained: Three million Three Hundred and Twenty Thousand Five Hundred (3,320,500) and
Senatoral ballot contained: Three million Four Hundred Two Thousand One Hundred Twenty -Two (3,402,122).
While the Representative ballot papers contained: Three million Four Hundred Three Thousand Two Hundred Eight (3,403,208) these ballot papers according to the NEC boss, are currently in secured storage under the protection of state securities pending distribution to the 2,080 voting precincts nationwide.
She said, printing the final Registration Roll (FRR), which began ten days ago, is progressing well adding that NEC staff are working to ensure that materials are deployed in time for the elections, especially given the challenges with delivery of those materials to some parts of the country.
Commissioner Lasannah used the occasion to inform the public that NEC has recruited 79 electoral District coordinators, 382 electoral Supervisors and 30,812 polling staff; while the NEC has concluded training of magisterial staff who are now training electoral District coordinators and electrical Supervisors who will then train the polling staff.
The NEC boss maintained consistent with commitment to ensuring the participation of all eligible voters, the Commission, in collaboration with partners has drawn up appropriate strategies to provide civic and voter education for the 2023 elections.
According to the NEC chairperson, the NEC has established 81 civic and voter education cells across the 73 electoral districts in the country that are currently engaged in outreach activities in various communities including door-to- door and face-to- face Campaign at the grassroots level through the country. Additionally, in it quest to provide publicity, the NEC has entered into Memorandum of Understanding with 37 community-based and 7 Monrovia -based radio stations to assist with CVE and media activities. She at the same time inform the public that the Commission also runs a number of radio programs to disseminate information about the electoral process and has access some 30 rural community radio stations through INTERNEWS.
“There remains huge interest by both local and International observers in observing these elections; as of September 21, 2023, the NEC has accredited 662 International and 5,981 local Observers, giving a total of 6, 643”.The Commission continues to process additional applications for observation of the October General Elections; adding the process of accreditation of parties and Independent Candidates agents has begun.
By: Joseph N. Kerkula
jnkerkula@gmail.com
+777376826
