19 November 2009
Monrovia — The National Elections Commission (NEC), having been heavily criticized for the rather contemptible manner in which it conducted the first round of the Montserrado County Senatorial By-election appears poised to correct its mistakes as evident by series of corrective steps it has put into place to render the pending runoff credible and perhaps free of irregularities.
One important step which the commission has placed emphasis on is civic voters' education which many blamed on the voters apathy that marred the first round because not many voters were educated as to their roles in the process. The commission has indicated that it would leave no stone unturned this time around in ensuring that everything concerning the runoff is humanly and positively exerted to eschew what occurred during the first round.
In this light, the NEC, the body charged with the duty of conducting elections in Liberia, yesterday, with the expressed collaboration of the Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP), kicked off the process that will help give voters, at least, enough education on the pending process.
Launching the civic voters' education on behalf of the seven-member commission, Executive Director John Langlay made it emphatically clear that they intend to do all that lies within their power to give everyone the opportunity to be informed of their civic responsibilities, how they need to vote, why they need to vote and where they need to go to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Flanked by the Executive Director of the Crusaders for Peace, Ambassador Juli Endee, the NEC Executive Director said the commission takes the process very seriously as it has already put people in the field to conduct the process which is expected to last for about five to six days.
As he was speaking, there were caravan-like vehicles mounted with speakers on the standby to crisscross the city to preach the message to voters. As of yesterday, vehicles mounted with loud speakers went from place to place, community to community, district to district with specific messages to the voters, encouraging them to turn out in their mass and vote for the candidates of their choice.
Mr. Langlay said the commission is in high spirit for the conduct of the runoff in order to rewrite the wrong. Since last Tuesday's by-elections, calls and criticism have inundated the media for the resignation for the "droopy manner' in which the exercise was conducted.
Many, including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, have lampooned the commission for the many irregularities that characterized the conduct of the November 10, 2009 poll, but the NEC said it is prepared to change the course and put the tides in its favor as evident by the massive civic voters' education it has begun.
Also, the Executive Director of the LCP, an entity that is assisting the NEC in propagating the message, Ambassador Juli Endee, called on voters to take exercise very seriously as doing so is the performance of one's constitutional responsibilities.
As of today, voters will be hearing from loud speakers mounted on moving vehicles prepared election messages, telling voters what they have to do from now to November 24, the day set aside for the runoff poll. Ambassador Endee informed citizens of Montserrado not to relax and relent, but show up on Election Day, next Tuesday in peaceful and coordinated manner to vote for the candidate of their choice. The LCP is helping the NEC with the publicity aspect of the process.
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If the present leadership of the National Election Commission could not handle the by election in Montserrado County would she be trusted to with the larger one in 2011? Of course the answer is big NO. People like Fromayan and the like out to know that it is easier to critize when one is not in the driver's seat. Realistically Liberians will have to seek responsible, credible and sound manner individuals, Liberians, to take charge of coming 2011 elections so as to give credent to Liberia that she is ready to manage her own affairs. Truly, Fromayan and his present collegues are not ready and able. This coming elections will be real and not the marriage of convenient of the past.
Thank God that, there is no looming catastrophe, as madam President had predicted Thank god and everyone associated with the aversion of the catastrophe.
Let Mr. Fromoyan, or what ever he call himself have his say, what we do know is that the people of Montserrado county want & loves madam Doe - Sheriff, we have been following this lady track record, shes not the type to wear gloves to greet people. we say bravo to you Madam GERALDINE DOE SHERIFF,VICTORY IS CERTAIN.
THANKS ALOT MY DEAR FRIEND OR BROTHER, I THINK YOU KNOW EXCATLY WHAT IS GOING ON LIBERIA. THEY FOOL THE LIBERIAN PEOPLE IN THE NAME OF CHANGES TO DECLARED WAR. BUT TODAY WE ARE DYING SLOW IN OUR HOME. LET ELLEN LEAVE POWER FOR GOD SAKE, WE DONT NEED HER ANYMORE AS OUR LEADER. THANKS MY DEAR BROTHER.
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Active Discussions: Monrovia Tests Elections Commission Ahead of 2011