Opposition parties pledge their support to the incumbent presidential candidate Liberia
As Liberians brace for the November 8th Presidential runoff elections, opposition Political Parties are cross carpeting to the incumbent Unity Party whilst dozens of organizational groups are also busy pledging their loyalty and willingness to support the final campaign for the re-election of incumbent President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Earlier this week, the main opposition party; The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) members from District # 4 in Suakoko, Bong County pledged their loyalty and willingness to support the ruling party (Unity Party) and even joined their campaign team. In a related trend, Senator Geraldine Doe Sheriff appealed to her party stalwarts through the National Electoral Commission to be part of the presidential run-off slated for November 8th this year. This statement, according to local tabloids in Liberia angered sections from her CDC party who are also quoted to have accused Senator Doe Sheriff of being deceitful to her party.
Another political party to tow the queue this week was the Majority Party of Liberia (MAPOL) whose National Chairman and Political leader Augustine B. Wheaton on behalf of his party maintained that all they want in their country is peace.
Also this week in Liberia, the Liberty Party leader, Charles Brumskine being the second opposition party to support the Unity Party in the runoff stated that, in as much as they have endorsed Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, they are also challenging her for a tremendous opportunity and a better future for their Nation.
The Liberian National Union Party has however maintained that, the CDC should exhibit tolerance and respect for the High Court which they further noted was the final arbiter with absolute jurisdiction over electoral matters. The constitutional channels for the harmonization of electoral disputes they noted further are in twofold with regards the National Elections Commission which they said was the Prime Institution that articulates and investigates for the Supreme Court. In their position statement also, the LINU of Liberia called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to put requisite mechanism in the event of an occurrence of what they referred to as “ man made” evil during the run off electoral processes.
In a related issue this week, the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), a partner to NEC senior officer, Sensee Freeman said in Monrovia/Liberia that the runoff election was irreversible.
Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned that, the regional organizations will recognize the winner once international observers, local observers and monitors will declare the run–off processes as free and fair, (with or without boycott). ECOWAS also warned all political parties against violence for the sake of peace in their country as they will take appropriate measures in order to preserve stability in the country and that, Liberians should eschew narrow participation in favor of national interest and regional stability.
Acting Chairperson of the Nation Elections Commission Madam Elizabeth Nelson
Rev. Kennedy Sandy of the Liberian Transformation Party (LTP) noted that, the October 11th election which was pronounced by both International and local observers and monitors as credible, free and fair was the most controversial and that the NEC was not capable to handle the run off come November 8th this year. But the newly appointed Acting Chairperson of the Nation Elections Commission Madam Elizabeth J. Nelson says she was capable to handle all electoral matters as the electoral laws of Liberia gives her that mandate to preside over electoral matters in the absence of the chairman quoting section 2:11 of the new elections law of Liberia. Madam Nelson also noted that, the sixteen presidential aspirants could not meet the fifty plus one votes as enshrined in the organic law of Liberia but that the incumbent Unity Party and the Congress for Democratic Change who gained 530,020/43% and 394,370/32.7% are expected to be voted for on November 8th this year. Madam Nelson further revealed that 38 out of 54 complaints that were filed against the electoral process have been disposed of.
CDC's Winston Tubman
The CDC flag bearer, Winston Tubman made a one day visit to Abuja/Nigeria on the request of the ECOWAS, no detailed with regards the trip was given and the CDC even after the return of their flag bearer are still firmed on their stance of boycotting the run off even though thousands of international observers and monitors are already in the country. Many people are of the view that the run off elections in Liberia might be slated hone to another date taking the Guinean experience into consideration
Mariama Coker, Information Attaché, MRY Countries, Sierra Leone Embassy, Liberia
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