-Electorate complain
By Jerromie S Walters
Amid huge interest from electorate in Montserrado and other parts of Liberia, they have complained about the ineffectiveness of staff of the National Elections Commission (NEC)- which they believe has made the voting process very slow.
This, as vividly seen at different polling centers in District #7, Montserrado County, has made some voters to leave the centers with uncertain decisions to either return later or forget about the entire process.
Many of them (electorate) at the various centers who are willing to tolerate the delay have found seats for themselves- while in the queue. “We are tired, the people very slow here. I have been here for more than one hour, the line is not even moving,” they explained.
Liberia’s October 10, 2023, legislative and presidential elections commenced few minutes after 8:00AM- at voting centers across the country.
As many expected- the elections are being reacted to with high interest. Unfortunately, it has been met with a little discouragement that has changed the minds of some of the voters (To abstain from the process).
The elections are being held under the watch of the joint security, parties observers, as well as hundreds of local and international observers.
As part of efforts to ensure that the elections are fair, credible, and transparent the National Elections Commission (NEC) Boss Madam Davidetta Browne Lassanah earlier disclosed that the Commission certified about 662 international observers, and 5,981 local observers, which amounts to 6,643 observers.
It can also be referenced that European Union Election Observation Mission to Liberia on Saturday, September 9, 2023, deployed a team of twenty Long-Term Observers across the fifteen political sub-divisions of Liberia.
The European Union Election Observation Mission to Liberia is charged with mandate to observe all aspects of the electoral process and assess the extent to which the elections comply with international and regional commitments for elections, as well as with the laws of Liberia.
On Monday, October 9, 2023- the Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON)1 also deployed teams of observers and coordinators to all 15 counties and 73 electoral districts to observe the presidential and legislative elections on October 10, 2023.
LEON has about 904 short-term observers (STOs) and 53 Field Coordinators who are following today’s elections from the various voting centers.
They are expected to observe the opening and closing of polling places; monitor the process of voting by registered voters; and assess adherence to voter identification, inking, and ballot issuing procedures.
Observers will also note and report on any security issues or incidents that may take place on Election Day.
As disclosed by the National Elections Commission (NEC)- Two Million Four Hundred Seventy-one Thousand Six Hundred Seventeen (2,47 1,617) registered voters across the country are expected to participate in today’s elections.
