Monrovia, Release- The following list of provisionally qualified candidates and eligible voters for the upcoming 2022 Elections has been released by the 2022 Elective Congress subcommittee on Elections and Inauguration. For various positions, a total of six (6) applications were submitted.
According to the specified guidelines, the applications were carefully reviewed. The names of those who have been provisionally qualified are listed below. The provisional list of 1,410 registered voters who are eligible to vote has also been provided at the PUL headquarters in central Monrovia.
Candidate Name Position Status
1 Kanubah, Julius President Qualified
2 Nyakonah, Daniel President Qualified
3 Johnson-Mbayo Bettie K. Vice President Qualified
4 Sieh Beatrice Vice President Qualified
5 Baysah Akoi M. Secretary Qualified
6 Konton Julius N. Assistant Secretary General Qualified
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) was established on September 30, 1964, to i) protect, defend and strengthen the rights of journalists and members; ii) to protect and foster freedom of information, freedom of the media, and independent journalism; iii) support professionalism and social responsibility towards the development of greater democracy and freedom in Liberia; iv) establish and develop cordial relationships and professional associations of other countries, Liberian Civil Society Organizations, public and private institutions; and v) advocate for improved working conditions of all journalists in the country and in so doing, consult, negotiate, and reach agreements with media employers relative to the salaries and other working conditions of journalists and media workers.
Articles 10 and 11 of the PUL Constitution require the holding of elections every three years as part of the Union’s Congress, specifically on the last day of Congress. In keeping with this mandate, the current leadership constituted a committee comprising of five (5) to lead the electoral process. Therefore, the below guidelines and timetable are intended to guide the conduct of the election which is scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2022, in keeping with the PUL Constitution.
GUIDELINES
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A. VOTERS ELIGIBILITY
Only full members who have paid their annual due of US$5.00 for 2020-2022 shall be eligible to vote. Voters must present a valid up-to-date PUL identification card (2022) on the day of the election to cast their vote.
ELECTABLE POSITIONS
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary-General
4. Assistant Secretary-General
1) President
A journalist or member of the Union aspiring for the position of President must satisfy the following requirements:
a) Must be a non-partisan journalist or member,
b) Must be a full member,
c) Must have attained the age of 30 years or above,
d) Must be a holder of at least a Bachelor’s degree in any field of study,
e) Must have served in the media for 10 years or above,
f) Must have risen to the rank of an editor, program director, or senior programs producer,
g) Must be a duly accredited member of the Union evident by a valid, up-to-date identification card (2022) as of the date of application, and
h) Must have paid all his/her dues of US$60.00 (Sixty United States Dollars) annually for 2020-2022.
2) Vice President
A journalist or member of the Union aspiring for the position of Vice President must satisfy the following requirements:
a) Must be a non-partisan journalist or member,
b) Must be a full member,
c) Must have attained the age of 30 years or above,
d) Must be a holder of at least a Bachelor’s degree in any field of study,
e) Must have served in the media for 10 years or above,
Must have risen to the rank of editor, program director, senior programs producer,
f) Must be a duly accredited member of the Union evident by a valid, up-to-date identification card (2022) as of the date of application, and
i) Must have paid all his/her dues of US$60.00 (Sixty United States Dollars) annually for 2020-2022.
3) Secretary-General
A journalist or member of the Union aspiring to the position of Secretary General must satisfy the following requirements:
a) Be a non-partisan journalist or member,
b) Be a full member,
c) Possess a good command of the English language, oral and written,
d) Have practiced for at least five years,
e) Be a holder of at least a Bachelor’s Degree in any field of study,
f) Have risen to the rank of a news editor or above,
g) Be 25 years of age or above,
h) Be a duly accredited member of the Union evident by a valid, up-to-date identification card (2022) as of the date of application, and
j) Must have paid all his/her dues of US$60.00 (Sixty United States Dollars) annually for 2020-2022.
4) Assistant Secretary-General
A journalist or member of the Union aspiring to the position of Assistant Secretary-General must satisfy the following requirements:
a) Be a non-partisan journalist or member,
b) Be a full member,
c) Be a non-partisan journalist or member,
d) Have obtained a minimum of an Associate Degree,
e) Be a duly accredited member of the Union evident by a valid, up-to-date identification card (2022) as of the date of application, and
f) Must have paid all his/her dues of US$60.00 (Sixty United States Dollars) annually for 2020-2022.
B. REGISTRATION FEES
The following are non-refundable registration fees for all contested positions:
1. President———————————————-US$200.00
2. Vice President—————————————-US$175.00
3. Secretary-General———————————–US$150.00
4. Assistant Secretary-General———————–US$125.00
C. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
All aspirants shall submit expressions of interest within the specified timeframe. All applications must be typed-written, enveloped, sealed, and addressed as stated below:
Press Union of Liberia 2022 Elective Congress
Attn: Elections & Inauguration Sub-committee
All aspirants must note the following in preparing and submitting their applications:
1) State why s/he is interested in the position applied for,
2) Include curriculum vitae, including all relevant documents,
3) Include one passport sized photo,
4) A photocopy of a valid, up-to-date PUL identification card (2022),
5) Photocopy of due payment for 2020-2022,
6) Include cell phone numbers, and
7) Any other information/documents the aspirants may deem necessary.
D. COMPLAINTS
All complaints such as contesting of voter roll and provisional qualified candidates must be directed to the Election & Inauguration Sub-committee. Complaints against the Sub-committee should be directed to the PUL’s Grievance and Ethics Committee.
E. ELECTIONS TIMETABLE
No Activity Date
1 Publication of Elections timetable, eligibility requirements & provisional voters roll Tuesday, October 11, 2022
2 Submission of aspirants’ expression of interest Wednesday, October 12-Tuesday, October 18, 2022 (5 PM)
3 Objections & complaints of provisional voters’ roll Wednesday, October 12-Friday, October 14, 2022
4 Hearing of and decisions on voter roll complaints Saturday, October 15, 2022
5 Review, vetting, and provisional qualification of candidates Wednesday, October 19, 2022
6 Publication of provisional qualified candidates Thursday, October 20, 2022
7 Objections & complaints of provisional qualified candidates Thursday, October 20-Friday, October 21, 2022
8 Hearing of and decisions on objections & complaints of provisional qualified candidates Saturday, October 22-Monday 24, 2022
9 Publication of final qualified candidates, final voters’ roll, and formal opening of the campaign Tuesday, October 25, 2022
10 Publication of campaign guidelines Tuesday, October 25, 2022
11 Canvassing for votes (Campaign Period) Tuesday, October 25-Friday, November 11, 2022, @ 11:59 PM
12 Candidates’ debate Friday, November 11, 2022
13 Polling Saturday, November 12, 2022 @ 8:00-16:00
14 Announcement of results & certification of winners Saturday, November 12, 2022
