Human Rights Group lauds NEC, But…

On the conduct of the successful October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, the human rights group, Rural Human Right Activists Programme (RHRAP), has commended the National Election Commission (NEC) for its leadership roles in ensuring the peaceful process. 

Lorma Baysah, Executive Director of RHRAP, stated that despite some violence instances with loss of lives, the elections to a large extent are considered peaceful.

Executive Director Baysah also thanked the people of Liberia for peacefully conducting themselves during the elections. 

The RHRAP boss stated that it is their hope that those violence instances will be urgently investigated and bring the culprits to justice.

He made the statement on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at a news conference held at the RHRAP office in Monrovia.

As Liberians prepare for the run-off between incumbent George Manneh Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of the former ruling Unity Party (UP), Mr. Baysah at the back of the commendation, wants NEC to improve by speedily providing results to the Liberian people.

According to him, the delay in providing the results contributed to speculations with disinformation and increased tension among all parties.

He also wants the NEC to include the electoral districts’ polling places codes in the results that will be announced during the runoff which will clearly show where the votes were received by each candidate.

Mr. Baysah furthered that when results are announced in bulk figures, it makes it difficult to compare the results easily with the tally sheets provided to the parties to the elections.

Executive Director Baysah pointed out that the percentage of invalid votes received that constitute 114,597 of the total votes cast clearly indicates that adequate education and awareness were not prioritized by the NEC and national government.

He noted that as Liberians prepare for the run-off, NEC and the international community should fund civil society organizations (CSOs) to quickly engage in awareness activities on how to vote so as to reduce the huge percentage of invalid votes across the country. 

The RHRAP boss also used the occasion to call on media outlets to engage in meaningful media activities that seek to combat disinformation and violence in order to avoid tensions. 

At the same time, Executive Director Baysah strongly recommended to the international community to increase their speed in adequately engaging political players including the incumbent government to do those things that are right that will maintain Liberia’s democracy.

In this light, he stated that with the huge supports at various levels including funding from the international community, Liberia is gradually moving towards stability with huge democratic gains.

“Do not sit for Liberia’s democracy to retrogress, this is critical period for Liberia’s democracy and you must act now before it is too late,” emphasized the RHRAP boss.

He reminded Liberians including political parties that elections are not war, indicating that they are all under obligation to fully respect the rule of law, fundamental human rights and democratic values.

“As Liberians head for the runoff, the RHRAP would like to command the international observers including the US, EU, CSOs, amongst others for their meaningful roles in observing the elections across the country which helped to support transparency at poll centers.”

The institution is also calling on the international community to again fully participate in the upcoming run-off and document the process by making sure that all tally sheets are in their procession.