Montserrado County Peace Committee (MPC) has cautioned electorate to once more demonstrate high sense of political maturity and patriotism by actively participating in the Tuesday, November 24, 2009, by-election run-off for Montserrado County.

MPC which is a network of several peace advocacy committees in Montserrado County said mass participation of registered voters in the by-election run-off in a peaceful atmosphere is essential for sustainable development in the county.

According to MPC, voting in not only the Montserrado County sensational by-election run-off but other national elections is part of the citizens' civic responsibilities to the country that must be respected and demonstrated at all times. MPC further indicated that the by-election run-off has provided another golden opportunity for voters to showcase their commitment to using democratic ballot box and not bullet for anyone to ascend to state power.

At the same time, MPC, in a press release issued in Monrovia today, lauded the National Elections Commission (NEC) for taking several corrective measures including its voters education and awareness campaign ahead of the Montserrado County by-election run-off.

MPC, in the release reiterated that the Montserrado County senatorial by-election is a case study for the 2011 general and presidential elections in Liberia. The group also cautioned NEC to leave no stone unturned, in the scrupulous conduct of the election by not only promptly investigating and addressing concerns/matters brought before it at every stage of the process.

This measure among others, MPC asserted, would make the electoral process free, fair, transparent and credible. The Communication, signed by MPC Chairman Rev. Augustine S. Arkoi further cautioned the leadership of NEC to ensure that its poll workers demonstrate friendly and cooperative behaviors at various polling centers in their interactions with potential voters most of whom could not read and write and may not have clear understanding of the voting procedures.

The peace advocacy network further cautioned NEC to remain focused and resist any form of manipulation. The group also cautioned the NEC to address problems that characterized the first round of the Montserrado County by-election in ensuring that polling centers are assessable to electorate, voting materials arrive at designated places on time, and voters no more told to go in search of their registration numbers from one center to another.

The Montserrado County Peace Committee (MPC) is part of a network of county peace committees established to promote, sustain and nationalize peacemaking and keeping throughout Liberia, particularly in Montserrado County.