Shallon S. Gonlor / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA — The National Elections Commission (NEC) has launched the Civil and Voter Education (CVE) — an official program and information sharing for voters ahead of the conduct of the April 22, 2025, Nimba County Senatorial By-election.
The launch, under the auspices of the CVE Section of NEC-Liberia, took place on Friday simultaneously at the two local Magisterial Offices in Sanniquellie and Tappita Cities, respectively.
Held under the theme “Encouraging Voters’ Full Participation,” the official launch commenced with a street parade followed by indoor programs at both upper and lower Nimba County offices.
The CVE launch here in Sanniquellie, Upper Nimba NEC office was graced by a large number of eligible voters, including civil society organizations, religious groups, people with disabilities, local and international partners, students, and the media.
Giving the overview of the Civic and Voters’ Education (CVE), the Deputy Director for CVE, Ayo E. Scott stressed the importance of the Civic and Voters’ Education as the county prepares for the April 22 Senatorial By-election.
Director Scott further said the CVE launch aimed to encourage all citizens, irrespective of status, that have voting rights to participate in the electoral process.
The campaign, according to her is aligned with the electoral calendar of events, fostering transparency and confidence in the electoral process to ensure effective implementation of CVE section activities, including communication, gender, and logistics.
She at the same time said the campaign intends to focus on promoting inclusiveness, reducing electoral misconceptions and potential violence.
She told the gathering that the issue of election is everyone’s business which is why they have started the process to educate citizens to enable them to have access to the basic information they need during the registration period and the time of voting.
The Deputy Director for the CVE section at the National Elections Commission meanwhile concluded that the initiative seeks to empower voters, to make independent choices, contributing to a fair and peaceful democratic process.
Also speaking at the launching ceremony of the CVE in the Sanniquellie City Hall, Commissioner Ernestine Morgan Awar described the launch of the Civic and Voters’ Education activities as the traditional program that marks the commencement of Civic Education Outreach drive in the country.
Representing NEC Chairperson, Davidetta Brown Lansanah, Commissioner Awar said during the period, voters will be educated on the voting steps, motivated to participate, and prepared to vote on election day.
Cllr. Ernestine Morgan Awar commits NEC Liberia to ensure an effective and successful drive, adding that the Commission has hired the services of 10 CVE cells from the 9th electoral district of Nimba to conduct consistent CVE and voter education programs and activities across the county to further ensure adequate motivational and informative awareness.
Commissioner Awar disclosed that materials, including posters, flyers, T-shirts, and caps as well as banners are ready for distribution to the public across Nimba County.
She further noted that, moreover, jingles and dramas in simple Liberian English and the major vernaculars in Nimba County are distributed throughout the county.
To facilitate the effectiveness of the CVE outreach drive, she also stated that the Commission has arranged with community-based radio stations in the county to assist the Commission air jingles and dramas.
Commissioner Awar revealed that NEC has developed non-violent messages as well as talk shows and public service announcements to educate the citizens.
She believes that to guarantee the emerging democracy, citizens should continue to exercise a peaceful approach to issues of national concern.
According to her, elections are an exercise that must be guided by integrity, transparency, and fair play.
The NEC Commissioner, however, encouraged all citizens of Nimba to remain civil and to conduct themselves in an orderly manner during and after the electoral processes.
She also charged citizens to always build mutual respect and treat each other as brothers and sisters and no political issue should pull them apart during and after the electoral exercise.
Commissioner Ernestine Morgan Awar then reaffirms NEC’s commitment to fairness and transparent, calling on citizens of Nimba to be peaceful and remain friends, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives despite their bitterness.
