By Abraham N. Duncan/Internews Fellow |
Tearing down of candidates posters and flyers is a violation of the amended electoral laws of 2014, which provides in chapter seven, section 10.25 that “Every Political Party, Party Nominated candidate and independent candidate shall (a) take responsible steps to ensure that their representative and supporters and, in the case of parties, their members and officials are made aware of the offenses under the law and the violations prescribed in the regulations issued by the commissioner”. Sub session “b” also instructs their representatives and supporters and in case of party, their members and officers not to commit offenses or violations.
But on the contrary to this law, supporters of some candidates in the upcoming By-elections in District 1, Grand Gedeh County have turn down several candidates’ posters and flyers ahead of campaign closure on April 20, 2024 set by the National Elections Commission.
There are three females and twelve males, totaling fifteen candidates for the electoral district 1, Grand Gedeh County-by-election. Meanwhile, six of the fifteen candidates are affected from tearing of posters and flyers while all the candidates’ posters were violently brought down.
Those candidates include: Sampson Bossoe Williams of African Liberation League (ALL), Nathanial Chen Gbagba of Reformers National Congress (RNC), Ansu Dukuly of National Development Party (NDP), Camile V. Charafeddine of the ruling Unity Party (UP), Jerry Monniayoung Gwion of Democratic National Allegiance (DNA) and Gabriel Papee Johnson of Liberia’s People’s Party (LPP) respectively.
Speaking to newsmen, in response to action orchestrated against some candidates, Honorable Nathaniel Chen Gbagba of Reformers National Congress (RNC) condemns the act of damaging his election awareness material and called on the National Elections Commission – Grand Gedeh County office for prompt intervention. Mr. Gbagba further stressed that these acts has the propensity to create chaos amongst citizens and they participating in the By-election.
He attributed these ugly behaviors due to lack of proper awareness on the electoral laws by requisite authorities and civil groupings.
Also concerned with the tearing down of posters / flyers is Hon. Jeziah M. Quiyea of the Economic Freedom Fighter of Liberia (EFFL) and one of the female candidates in the upcoming by-election. She describes the action as stone-age politicking with a call on them to desist. According to Ms. Quiyea, these posters and flyers printing are very costly, as it’s a means of creating awareness on their manifestos.
However, the second time candidate of Tchien Electoral District 1 used this medium to encouraged young people who are in the constant habit of tearing down candidates’ posters and flyers to desist and focus on promoting peaceful election, good governance and democracy in Grand Gedeh County.
She then expresses trust and confidence in the National Elections Commission for the free, fair and transparent conduct of the April 23, 2024 By-Election.
Also speaking to cross session of citizens on election’s sensitive issues, the head of Liberian Women Initiatives for Development (LIWIND) Madam Felecia F. D. Duncan condemns all actions of the pre and post-election violence and at the same time called on voters and supporters of various candidates to preach their respective candidates platforms instead of involving themselves into violence acts. Madam Duncan said election violence undermines peace and stability of an area and thus wants every citizen to abide by the election laws and the organic law of the state.
The former civil society regional coordinator urged those affected by election’s violence to always seek legal redress and not to take laws into their own hands.
Also speaking to Journalists recently, Mr. Aaron Safa. Weah – President of Federation of Tricycle and Motorcycle Union of Liberia –Grand Gedeh County Branch has frowned on the acts exhibited by some young people of the district and call on them to stop.
Weah said, any motorcyclist or young person who will be cut in the process of violating the electoral laws of Liberia will be dealt with according to the deal process of the law.
The April 23, 2024 By-Election came as a result of the demised of Errol Madison Gwion on December 4, 2023 in Accra Ghana after a protracted illness. Hon. Gwion was first elected representative November 16, 2021 in a by-election following the ascendency of former Representative Zoe Emmanuel Pennue who won the 2020 special Senatorial election. Representative Gwion served the district for one year six month and got re-elected October 10, 2023 during the legislative and presidential elections.
To fill the vacuum created after Gwion’s death, there are 15 candidates (12 Males and 3 Females) certified by the National Elections Commission vying for the one seat to complete the 5th person of Grand Gedeh County Legislative Caucus.
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