The National Election Commission (NEC) has officially certificated the new Unity Party as full fledged political party in Liberia ahead of the 2011 general and presidential elections.

The new UP is the merger of the ruling Unity Party, the Liberia Action Party and the Liberia Unification Party.

NEC Chairman James Fromayan, speaking yesterday at NEC's headquarters during events marking the official accreditation of the new UP, welcomed the merger of the three political parties, describing it as a "thoughtful decision".

Chairman Fromayan said "This thoughtful decision by the three parties...is in fulfillment of the requirement of the voting population to reduce the number of existing political parties in the country."

"This does not only make the ballot shorter, but demonstrates absolute confidence in the ballot," Chairman Fromayan added.

He urged the new UP to fully cooperate with the NEC on all electoral matters, and operate within the confines of the electoral laws and guidelines governing political parties in Liberia.

Chairman Fromayan has at the same time called other political parties to emulate the examples of the former Unity party (UP), Liberia Unification Party (LUP) and Liberia Action Party(LAP) through the formation of mergers, alliances and coalitions in a more committed and dedicated manner.

For his part, the Chairman of the new UP, Varney Sharman descried as "historic" the accreditation of the three merged political parties.

The renown Liberian lawyer and politician said the merger by the three parties is in the "good interest of the Liberian people", and therefore called on them work together for their common good.

According to Cllr. Sharman, a political party is something that binds people together and not to be seeing as divisive thing.

He said it is through political parties that people exercise their franchise adding, "It's good to form a formidable political party."

He also appreciated all members of the three parties that now make up the new UP for their tireless efforts in achieving the one goal that they all deserve.