By J. Ebenezer Daygbor
The board of commissioners of the National Election Commission (NEC) of Liberia must now appear before the full Plenary of the Liberian Senate to give reasons, if any, why they cannot be held in contempt for the recent utterances of NEC chairman, Jerome Korkoya.
The Senate has taken exception to NEC Chair Korkoya’s recent comments relative to the function of his office. But the Senators considered his comments unacceptable, and also believe there were missteps in the voter roll exhibition process.
The National Elections Commission is expected to appear at the Senate this Thursday, June 21, 2017.
The senate took the decision based on a communication dated June 19, 2017 from Margibi County Senator Oscar Cooper seeking the intervention of plenary to question Chairman Korkoya about the voters’ roll exhibition process.
The communication which was read in the plenary today, June 20th, in the chambers of the Senate states, “I ask that we request the appearance of the NEC commissioners to speak to the severity of the irregularities, in regards to the voter registration roll. We must be made aware of any problems that may impact the election process. It is our duty to ensure that the process is not flawed, and that we hold a free and fair election without violence and without questions regarding the validity of the outcomes.”
According to Senator Cooper, the senate should ensure that the citizens of Liberia are at ease with the process and that the senate holds an election that is without doubt, innuendos or questions about its validity. “It is paramount that the National Elections Commission be honest and with the people of Liberia,” Senator Cooper asserted.
He noted that the 2017 Representatives and Presidential elections will be a defining moment for the continuity of democracy whereby the people of Liberia and will have demonstrated their democratic franchise and will only be receptive of the results if they perceive the process to be transparent.
In a press conference last week, the NEC assured Liberians carrying legitimate voter registration cards of full participation in the election process. The Commission’s comment comes in the wake of fear expressed by some citizens that their names and photos are not on the voters’ roll exhibition.
“People with the issue of unavailability of photos during these exhibition periods should go to the various magistrates for photo taking and every Liberian, who has voter’s card, will vote. The errors wouldn’t affect you. “There is nothing to be worried about. People should stop creating unnecessary alarm. Please help us to explain to the people the only reason we are holding exhibition is to correct the errors. We are working hard to ensure a credible election that will be acceptable. We have a fine process; we are working under extreme circumstances; we don’t say don’t criticize,” Chairman Korkoya responded.
