By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor in Monrovia
The Elections Coordinating Commission (ECC) has raised alarm on the just ended Representatives and Presidential elections flagging that there were some serious administrative and technical lapses.
The ECC Chairman, Oscar Bloh, told a news conference Thursday, October 12, in Monrovia that ECC observers observed inconsistences in how staffs of the National Elections Commission addressed the issue of voters’ names missing from the Final Registration Roll.
“In 75 percent of observed polling places with missing names, these voters were permitted to vote; however, voters in 25 percent of these polling places were denied the ability to vote,” he said.
Bloh said that ECC observes that some polling places did not have adequate lights, which caused additional delays in the counting process. He said that increased the potential for human error, adding, that the ECC observed that the record of the counted forms were not systematically posted on the wall of the polling places after the completion of the counting process.
According to Bloh, while voting process within the polling places generally ran smoothly, ECC observes that NEC staffs experienced challenges in managing queues and directing voters to the proper polling places.
“Particularity in areas with higher numbers of registered voters and in voting precincts located in facilities not adequate to accommodate these, this resulted in long waits and frustrations among voters and caused voting and counting to extend long past the official closing time,” he added.
The ECC then recommended the National Elections Commission should urgently inform the public and political parties on the procedures for voters whose names are missing from the final roll in order ratify any challenges.
“Polling staff should also receive timely, clear, and consistent instruction in these procedures. Update logistics plans to ensure a timely delivery of all elections materials. Ensure voters are informed about the runoff elections. Consider relocating congested polling precincts to other locations that will facilitate the free flow of voters,” he said.
