-Joint Security warns, ahead of tomorrow’s election
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
As Liberians gear up for the November 14, Tuesday, 2023, the joint security through its chairperson, and minister of justice Cllr. Frank Musa Dean has warned political parties and individuals not to engaged in announcing results ahead of the National Elections Commission. They have urged political parties to resolve election grievances peacefully, through the legal process, in accordance with law.
“We urge political parties and individuals to adhere to this and refrain from announcing results ahead of the National Elections Commission; the NEC is the only entity constitutionally and statutorily authorized to declare and announce election results.
Refrain from celebrating until the final official results are declared and announced; and resolve election grievances peacefully, through the legal process, in accordance with law.” “We urge people
using social media to issue threats, to desist with immediate effect. The Joint Security says it will be very closely monitoring the social media for individuals
making threats.
Speaking Friday, November 11, 2023 at the headquarters of the Liberian National Police, the atony general urged people using the social media to issue threats, to desist with immediate effect. They assert that these situations, while exercising rule based citizen journalism, undermine the peaceful democratic process of a nation.
The Justice Minister while at the news conference, continued by rubbishing social media reports that suggested an imminent bloodshed and disturbances that awaited the results from the elections, describing it as baseless and unfounded.
“Immediately subsequent to the first round of the elections, there was a
steady stream of baseless, unfounded and alarming stories circulated on
social media, suggesting imminent bloodshed and disturbances, inflamed
by rumors that there were plans afoot to rig the awaited results. In addition to this tidal wave of disinformation and misinformation, the Joint Security received reports of some die-hard party loyalists and extreme
thugs who had planned to proceed to various tally centers, under the guise
of protecting their votes.”
He added that the accounts also indicated that attacks on high-level individuals, public infrastructure and business houses were highly likely. Howbeit, he revealed that the Joint Security investigated several such controversial assertions, reports and rumors, and found them to be utterly untrue.
Therefore leading to the inference that fake stories and declarations of election results by individuals and groups ahead of the National Elections Commission (NEC) were designed and geared at creating fear and confusion in the general population and fostering hate and violence.
In furtherance, Minister Dean stated that the actions of those individuals and groups go against the concerted efforts of most Liberians to build a better country, undermine the hard-earned peace and security, and pose a direct challenge to democracy and national unity. He said the Joint Security condemns in the strongest possible terms all attempts at creating turmoil, anxiety and violence within the nation. Fervently, he cautions against all acts that have the propensity to fan violence, and set into motion actions that threaten Liberia’s peace, including the airing of political prejudices that could lead to violent reactions.
At the same time, he urged every registered voter to go out and vote peacefully.
Assuring that every Liberian security is guaranteed and votes shall be protected.
Therefore further noting that the Joint Security will always exercise restraint, but all unlawful aggressions will be met with reasonable and proportionate force.
Moreover, Cllr. Dean, lauded Liberians for the peaceful conduct of the recent general elections. He asserted that that it is evidence that multiparty democracy is gaining strong roots in Liberia. He stated that the respect for constitution and election laws was observed by all parties participating in the first round of the elections.
In his deliberation, he noted that the joint security has joined the international community of election observers to thank Liberian for their outstanding participation in the first round of these elections, which were held under a very peaceful atmosphere.
He further added that the conduct of the elections proves that the Liberians are convinced and resolved that the only way to determine the leadership of the country is through the democratic process. He added that the government of Liberia remains grateful to its people.
In addition, he assured that as Liberians proceed to the polls on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the Government remains steadfast in the maintenance of law and order.
In continuation, the Joint Security of Liberia further announced that following investigation into the violence which erupted on Friday, September 29, 2023 in Foya, Lofa County, several
individuals have been charged with various crimes, ranging from murder,
criminal conspiracy to commit murder, criminal mischief, disorderly
conduct, rioting, illegal possession of firearms to terroristic threats.
