-NEC Boss assures
By Jerromie S. Walters
Following a tense day of the conduct of Liberia’s October 10, 2023, legislative and presidential elections- the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Madam DavidettaBrowne Lansanah has made a fervent commitment to Liberians, says their votes will count just as they casted them.
At a press conference at the NEC headquarters late Tuesday, October 10, 2023- Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanahadmonishes Liberians to remain peaceful amid the end of voting process- and guarantees that the electorate decision will be respected.
“As we approached the closing of polls and casting of counting of votes, I urge all Liberians to remain peaceful and wait for the results, because the NEC is committed to ensuring that their votes count just as you cast them,” she articulates.
Howbeit- amid dozens of challenges that enraged the elections- Madam Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah tells Liberians that the October 10, 2023, polls generally progressed well throughout the day across the country.
“The polls have generally progressed well throughout the day across the country- following a very rough start that was occasioned by huge turnout by ethesiatic Liberians to cast their ballots.”
However, the Commission acknowledges challenges that confronted the electoral process, especially in Sinoe and River Cess counties.
Due to heavy downpour of rain that lasted for several days in District #2, Sinoe County, and the consequences it had on a major bridge in the county and the roads( bad roads)- the Commissions says it has also affected the conduct of polls in 11 precincts in the district.
“The election magistrates had arranged a fleet of motorcycles to convey the materials last night, the 9 of October, but was also challenged due to bad roads, leading to late start of polls in that area.”
Due to the situation, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) says the Commission will extend the voting time in those areas.
“In River Cess County, the Timbo River also overflowed its banks and the NEC vehicles and electoral materials were unable to cross at that time.” However, she says when the situation became ok, the NEC workers proceeded with the materials but unfortunately didn’t reach in the district on time, a situation that led to the late start of polls. She admits that some of the precincts opened as late as 11:00AM but confirmed that the process will continue in the district.
At the same time, Madam Lansanah applauded the electorate, the joint security, NEC workers, as well as all local and international observers for their commitment to the process.
Following the conduct of the October 10, 2023, legislative and presidential elections- the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) says despite the peaceful conduct of voting, the process has been characterized
by several challenges.
At a midday news conference Tuesday, October 10, 2023, the elections observation body says – “There were reports of isolated tension at polling places due to challenges in the proper management of queues resulting from overcrowding in some
precincts. In Sinoe electoral district 02, a center did not open as of 9 am.”
With this, the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) urges the National Elections Commission (NEC) to take quick action to ensure that voting materials get delivered to all polling places.
0 The commission is also urged to provide clarity on procedures for polling places that experienced delayed openings. “The ECC calls on the Joint Security Apparatus to remain vigilant inaddressing any tension that may arise at voting precincts, thereby preventing its escalation.”
The Committee also encourages Political parties’ agents and observers to remain deployed throughout the day until the results are counted and posted. “All Liberian voters and citizens should continue to remain peaceful as the voting progresses.”
Moreover, ECC says 98% of ECC observers were permitted to access and observe at their polling places. ECC observers were however not allowed in certain locations to use their phones as a result of the NEC’s directive that no phones are allowed in the polling place.
Liberia’s October 10, 2023, legislative and presidential elections was held concomitantly across the country. As many expected- the elections were reacted to with massive anxiety.
The elections are being held under the watch of the joint security, parties’ observers, as well as hundreds of local and international observers.
As part of efforts to ensure that the elections are fair, credible, and transparent the National Elections Commission (NEC) Boss Madam Davidetta Browne Lassanah earlier disclosed that the Commission certified about 662 international observers, and 5,981 local observers, which amounts to 6,643 observers.
