As Liberians Crave For Credible Election, ECOWAS Engage Independent IT Experts To Help
Source: Nana Yaw GyimahThe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is deploying stringent measures to support a credible election in Liberia. Together with the African Union, an independent IT team is working with the National Electoral Commission to assess the collation and tallying of electoral results. For about two weeks, an independent IT team by ECOWAS together with the NEC has been proffering solutions to relevant issues ahead of polls. Representative of ECOWAS in Liberia, Josephine Nkrumah explained that “the independent IT are working steadily with the data centre at the National Election Commission. Already, political rhetorics have fueled mistrust for the National Electoral Commission.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 09, 2023 05:00 UTC
U.S. Urges Liberians to Ponder Country’s Future While Voting
--- “Vote for those who have the best plans for your family’s future and the capability to lead Liberia toward that future,” Says Rodriguez, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S Embassy in Liberia. The elections, according to Rodriguez, present an opportunity for Liberians to “vote” for “leaders” who have the best plans to lead Liberia “toward that future.”“First, use your voice. Talk to your friends and family about the future of your beloved Liberia. Your vote is your ticket to the future you want for yourself and your family. But YOU, the Liberian people, the voters of this country, have the two most powerful tools in this electoral process: your voice and your vote,” Rodriguez noted.
Source:Daily Observer
October 08, 2023 13:46 UTC
Liberia: Why News Public Trust Report On Foya Investigation Came Out The Way It Did
The report neither name any observer or say there was an official statement to that effect. ECOWAS demands the withdrawal of the fictitious report and insists on a written apology. ECOWAS and EU observers along with me, were all at the same Guest House in Voinjama City, Lofa. Tone of ECOWAS’ statement defamatoryAt the same time, News Public Trust has strongly rejected insinuation by ECOWAS that this media outlet is an unprofessional institution tainted with unethical and inflammatory reporting. Editor's Note: The Daily Observer is publishing this response from the News Public Trust as we published the original article as it appears.
Source:Daily Observer
October 07, 2023 21:26 UTC
Liberia: Consortium of Media and Civil Society Organizations Conclude 2023 Presidential Debates in Liberia
— President Weah, Boakai and Cummings refused to attendThe Consortium of Media and Civil Society Organizations has concluded its second and final presidential debate inGbarnga, Bong County, ahead of the October 10, 2023 polls in Liberia. Facilitated by the USAID Liberia Media Activity, the presidential debate aims to support the electoral process andpromote informed decision-making by the Liberian people. The media consortium comprises the Liberia Media for Democratic Initiatives (LMDI), the Center for Media Studiesand Peacebuilding (CEMESP), the Amos C. Sawyer Foundation, the Association of Community Radios (ALICOR),Local Voices Liberia, and the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), amongst others. “Electoral debates play a crucial role in promoting informed decision-making, fostering transparency, and engagingcitizens in the democratic process. Kiamue, Democratic People's Party of Liberia (DPPL); Luther N. Yorfee, Liberia Rebuilding Party (TheRebuilders); Edward W. Appleton, Jr., Grassroots Development Movement (GDM); and Joshua Tom Turner,New Liberia Party (NLP).
Source:Daily Observer
October 07, 2023 19:00 UTC
U.S. Embassy Urges Liberians to Exercise Their Right to Vote in Upcoming Elections
Monrovia – The United States Embassy in Liberia, represented by Chargé d’Affaires Catherine Rodriguez, has issued a statement emphasizing the importance of the upcoming elections in Liberia and urging all citizens to exercise their right to vote freely and peacefully. Rodriguez discussed the critical role of the United States as a long-standing partner of Liberia in taking these elections seriously. However, Rodriguez stressed that the most powerful tools in the electoral process lie with the Liberian people—their voices and their votes. The Chargé d’Affaires further encouraged all Liberians to exercise their right to vote, emphasizing that their votes are the most valuable power any democracy offers its people. Rodriguez expressed confidence in the National Elections Commission as the electoral authority and the source for official election results.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 07, 2023 14:54 UTC
Chronicles Of Liberia’s Electoral Violence Vis-A-Vis The Fragility Of A Post-War Country
But it’s the aftermath of the Foya violence on Friday, September 29 that has furthered mirrored how any heightened political process would continue to deeply expose the vulnerability and fragility of the post-war country. The last 2017 general elections also witnessed pockets of violence reported across the country. Subsequent by-elections after the 2017 polls witnessed several other electoral violence, with Montserrado County apparently bearing the biggest brunt of them all. A year and some months later, some militants are spotted in some of the clips coming out of the Foya violence. Even voter’s registration exercises were marred with violence, the most noticeable one being the Montserrado County District 10 incidence.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 07, 2023 11:03 UTC
Liberia: Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Calls for Civic Responsibility Ahead of Historic Elections
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]The former President emphasized the country’s potential for development. While acknowledging past achievements on the path to development, she also alluded to the challenges that have at times hindered this progress. Their presence reinforces the importance of transparent and fair elections in upholding democratic values. Madam Sirleaf urged Liberian citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote responsibly. She encouraged voters to carefully evaluate the performance records and potential of the candidates vying for their support.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 06, 2023 16:55 UTC
Funerals held in Syria for dozens of victims of attack on military ceremony
ALBERT AJI AND BASSEM MROUE, ASSOCIATED PRESS |Family members of some of the victims of a deadly drone attack on a crowded military graduation ceremony gathered outside a military hospital in the city of Homs on Friday to collect the bodies of their loved ones. Thursday’s strike on the Homs Military Academy killed 89 people, including 31 women and five children, and wounded as many as 277, according to the health ministry. The death toll could rise as some of the wounded are in a critical condition. No group immediately claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack as Syria endures its 13th year of conflict that has killed half a million people. In the aftermath, Syrian government forces intensified their shelling and airstrikes on rebel-held regions and insurgents fired back towards areas held by President Bashar Assad’s forces.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 06, 2023 13:25 UTC
Liberia: Director of Legislative Information Service Calls on Citizens of Bomi to Reject Reject Saytumah’s Re-election
MONROVIA – Mr. McCarthy Weh, Director of the Legislative Information Service (LIS), has urged the citizens of Bomi County not to re-elect Senator Morris Saytumah as their senator in the upcoming October 10 presidential and general elections. This has adversely affected the knowledge-based information center, as well as other departments, to the extent that budgetary funding for his departments and organs has not been forthcoming. Director Weh alleges that Chairman Saytumah has yet to account for $320,000 out of the $350,000 appropriated for the effective operation of the information center, the LIS Department. Such a leader should be self-employed because the public sector is meant for selfless public service that benefits the greater good for the greatest number,” Director Weh declared. “Should reform-oriented and transformational leaders be elected for the 55th Legislature in January 2024, one can be cautiously optimistic that it will perform better than the 52nd, 53rd, and now 54th Legislature,” Director Weh concluded.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 06, 2023 12:26 UTC
Liberia: NPHIL Prepares for Public Health Threats on Election Day
The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has announced that it is taking steps to enhance control and prevention measures for public health threats during the upcoming electoral period. As part of its efforts, the National Public Health Emergency Call Center will be implementing a Special Public Health Emergency Operation. The primary objective of this operation, a NPHIL statement released on Thursday, October 5, is to ensure an effective and coordinated response to any public health inquiries or emergencies that may arise during the election period. These measures will specifically target the general public, electoral authorities, and various stakeholders, all with the aim of efficiently addressing public health concerns. It will be staffed by a dedicated team of skilled operators and supervisors, with technical support personnel available at the call center, which is located at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia.
Source:Daily Observer
October 06, 2023 08:16 UTC
Liberia: Liberia’s Electoral System “Corrupt and Deceptive”
Torli H. KruaAs Liberians prepare to cast their ballots on October 10, the Free Liberia Movement (FLM) has raised concerns about Liberia's electoral system, calling for an overhaul of the country’s electoral system. Therefore, Liberia cannot automatically become a democracy based on elections conducted in a corrupt and deceptive electoral system that caters to wealthy individuals and excludes citizens’ input and participation.”Rev. “A corrupt tree cannot be rescued or fixed when it’s bearing corrupt fruits,” he said. Or make a tree corrupt, and its fruits will be corrupt. Krua has been advocating for the rebirth of Liberia since he launched the Free Liberia Movement a few years ago.
Source:Daily Observer
October 06, 2023 07:21 UTC
Liberia: Court Clears Solicitor General of Jury Tampering Allegations
The trial, which has gripped the nation's attention since its inception, took an unexpected turn when the Jury Management Team of the Supreme Court accused the Solicitor General of allegedly tampering with the jury during a visit to the Court beyond work hours. According to the ruling of Criminal Court ‘A’, while the allegation against Tuan raised about potential misconduct, there was insufficient proof to convict him of any wrongdoing. “The court,” he said, “concluded that there was no evidence of jury tampering by Tuan” and that the jurors would remain intact and not disbanded. He cited a prior case — the US$100 million drug case heard in Criminal Court ‘C’, which the government lost due to last-minute information that favored the defendants. The Judge also expelled Amos Korkollie, Titus Massah, Webster J. Paye, and Lassana Liazolu, who were assigned to the Jury Quarter and had interacted with the Solicitor General.
Source:Daily Observer
October 05, 2023 17:05 UTC
Death toll rises to 14 after India cloudburst as just one missing soldier found
Extent of damage is such that parts of a dam were swept away – draining a lake of two-thirds of its waterAt least 14 people were killed and 102 are missing in northeastern India after flash floods triggered by sudden heavy rainfall swamped several towns and washed away parts of a dam. Among the missing are 22 soldiers, and the Indian army is carrying out extensive search and rescue operations to trace them. The army has managed to rescue only one soldier out of the 23 troops who had earlier been reported missing. Eleven bridges were swept away by floodwaters as well. The floods struck pipelines and damaged or destroyed more than 270 houses in four districts as well.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 05, 2023 15:49 UTC
Admonitions for Christian Participation in National Elections
Second, if Christianity dominates the Liberian population, then Liberian Christian should endeavor to ensure that our continued campaign activities exhibit the Christian values of love, respect, critique of national issues void of verbal mayhem. John Wesley played a very significant role in Britain’s national elections in 18th century England when he provided some guidelines to vulnerable electorates. This is a betrayal of the interest of Mama Liberia; an injustice to the core, and we decry it. By doing so, even during this campaign and election season, we shall all help to develop Mama Liberia, not to destroy its future. National campaigns and elections should not divide us but unite us to forge ahead as one people with a common destiny.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 05, 2023 06:58 UTC
Liberia: Voter Cards “Will Not Be Punched,” NEC Says
It's not just about the cards; it’s the entire biometric process that has cost Liberia more than 12 million United States dollars,” Lansanah asserted. With the previous versions of Liberian voter cards, which were laminated, the NEC perforated (hole-punched) the cards immediately after handing a voter a ballot paper, as proof that the voter’s cards had been used in that election. Now, with the use of biometric voter cards in a manual voting process, no hole-punching means no verification that a card has already been used. They argued that this seemingly minor change has significant implications for the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. This issue, the UP added, raised serious doubts about the validity of the 2023 Voter Registration cards and, by extension, the credibility of the impending elections.
Source:Daily Observer
October 05, 2023 04:36 UTC