16 November 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

US Wants Boakai, Weah to Focus on Runoff, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The United States Government, through its Embassy accredited near Monrovia says it has confidence in the integrity of the hotly contested October 10 presidential and representatives elections—indicating that no accredited Liberian, regional, or international observation group suggested that the cumulative anomalies observed reflect systemic issues sufficient to undermine the fundamental integrity of the electoral process. The US Government’s statement is in reference to the ongoing allegation of fraud and irregularities which the Liberty Party is contesting with the NEC. Read more

Senate Appoints Special Committee to Resolve Election Impasse, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and The New Dawn

The Senate has appointed a special committee headed by President Pro-Tempore Armah Jallah to help find an amicable resolution to the current political impasse resulting from the October 10 presidential and legislative elections. The Senate’s decision followed a one-day retreat last Tuesday at the Farmington Hotel in Harbel, Margibi County. The mandate of the seven-member committee, among many things, is to hold consultations with all relevant political and other national leaders as well as regional and international partners with the aim of resolving disputes arising from the October elections, “and to assure the people of Liberia and the world at large that our country remains at peace and will strictly follow the constitutional course in the transfer of power.” The Senate’s statement further encouraged the National Elections Commission (NEC) to expeditiously adjudicate all matters brought before it within the constitutional timelines, “mindful that the Liberian people represented by the Senate shall not support nor encourage any actions by any group or institution designed to undermine the Constitution, thereby creating conditions for unconstitutional governmental structures as experienced during the 14 years of war.”

Members of the committee are Senators J. Gbleh-Bo Brown, Maryland; Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, Grand Bassa; Dr. Peter Coleman, Grand Kru; Conmany Wesseh, River Gee; Oscar Cooper, Margibi; and Marshall Dennis, Grand Gedeh County. Read more

Supreme Court Hears UP’s Case against NEC Today, Sources: Daily OBSERVER

The ruling Unity Party (UP) Wednesday filed papers asking the Supreme Court to demand the National Elections Commission (NEC) to make available to it records of the October 10 presidential and legislative elections. The high court accepted the request and set today, November 16, to hear arguments between the NEC and the ruling party on whether or not it should compel the electoral body to surrender the requested documents to the complainant (UP). UP is seeking for a copy of the Final Registration Roll (FRR) for the October 10 elections, and copies of the addenda to the voter roll made at the polling centers nationwide. It also asked for copies of the worksheet of the NEC’s presiding officer who was arrested in Nimba County Electoral District #3 with pre-marked ballots.

They are also asking for records of the investigation conducted by the NEC on a staff in the office of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who was also arrested with a machine for allegedly printing of Voters Registration Cards and other election materials at his New Georgia home. Read more

U.S. Government Breaks Silence on Oct. 10 Elections’ Impasse, Says No Need for rerun, Source: FrontPage Africa

The United States Embassy in Monrovia says it had not seen no sign of manipulation in last month’s election in Liberia, amid allegations of irregularities and fraud that have stalled a runoff poll. First-round winner Senator George Weah, a standard bearer of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), was initially set to face the runner-up, Vice President Joseph Boakai, the standard bearer of the ruling Unity Party (UP) on November 7 to determine who will replace current term-limited President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. But the third-place finisher, Cllr. Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party (LP), contested the outcome of the first round, claiming gross irregularities had occurred and accusing National Elections Commission (NEC) officials of fraud, an allegation the body denies.

"No accredited Liberian, regional, or international observation group suggested that the cumulative anomalies observed reflect systemic issues sufficient to undermine the fundamental integrity of the electoral process," the US Embassy said in a statement. Read more

Criminal In Nature –Witness Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison Accuses NEC of Carrying Out Illegal Practice, Source FrontPage Africa

Former chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison has told the NEC hearing officer, Cllr. Muana Ville that it was criminal to alter the Final Voter Roll (FVR) because, according to her, it is illegal to amend that instrument. Cllr. Allison stated that under her chairmanship there was nothing like addendum list as was done during the October 10, 2017 elections. She claimed that during her days at the NEC, the final list of eligible voters was published and not given to the political parties on USB pen drive. According to the former NEC boss, going into an election without any voter Final Registration Roll (FRR) was something strange to her because the FRR is the single most important document the electoral commission needs to conduct a successful election. “I was alarmed by the kinds of things I have heard. How could this have happened? We have an election and all these irregularities are being reported,” she said. Read more

US urges UP, CDC to focus on runoff –Says election was credible, Source: The New Dawn

The US Embassy in Monrovia is urging the ruling Unity Party (UP) and the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) to focus on the pending runoff which has been stalled by allegations of fraud and irregularities. "The US Embassy urges the top two finishers, who collectively received the support of two-thirds of Liberian voters, to focus on constructively engaging each other and voters as they prepare to compete in the runoff," a statement issued Wednesday says.

The Embassy has expressed confidence in the integrity of the October 10 elections, saying, that no accredited Liberian, regional, or international observation group suggested that the cumulative anomalies observed reflect systemic issues sufficient to undermine the fundamental integrity of the electoral process. "Where issues were identified in the first round of voting, we urge the National Elections Commission (NEC) to undertake corrective actions before, during, and after the runoff election," the US Embassy says. Read more

UP claims 79 missing polling places, Source: The New Dawn

A ruling Unity Party (UP) expert witness Jeff Blebo says there were more missing polling places of 79 across 10 precincts not recorded on the previous USB flash drive presented by the National Elections Commission (NEC) to seven political parties in September, and 31 precincts with more polling places missing from the data. Mr. Blebo told the NEC hearing officer, Cllr. Mauna Ville on Wednesday that these missing polling places amounted to 35,237 registered voters with 10 duplicated voters ID numbers. He says the USB flash drive presented by the NEC executive director, Lamin Lighe is different from the previous USB flash drive that was given to seven political parties in September. “As an expert in data analysis it is very strange to have a system in which you have a leak data for each vote, one ID number could be used by multiple voters,” Blebo says. He notes that in the short period of time that he carried on his finding, he was able to run over two thousand names that were duplicated, noting that the FRR is distinct and different from the online system, and the flash drive that was given shows a real discrepancy in their data. Read more

Cllr. Allison Provides ‘Strange Testimony’, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Daily Observer reports that the jam-packed James Fromayan Hall at the National Elections Commission (NEC) was a hilarious scene Wednesday when Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison took the witness stand in the ongoing alleged electoral irregularities and frauds case and testified on the basis of speculations and media reports. Cllr. Allison, who was the first post-war chairperson of the NEC, told the hearing officer that she had no direct contact with any irregularity or fraud but became concerned over time with the many media reports on alleged irregularities and frauds from the fields after the October 10 polls. “My knowledge on the ongoing investigations has been gathered from media reports, hearings the NEC authorities conducted and other information provided by several other citizens,” she testified. This response, given to the ruling Unity Party (UP) lead lawyer Varney Sherman, threw the hall into conflicting views, with several spectators condemning her for taking the center stage of the hearing process which came to a standstill for several minutes. The former chief election officer said after hearing of many complaints from people and leaders of political parties, she decided to engage the media so as to discuss the way forward in case there was any imminent constitutional crisis. Read more

EU’s Double Standard Undercutting Rule of Law In Liberia, Source: New DEMOCRAT

The New Democrat reports that the EU, whose elections observation mission said that the voter roll was not reliable and declined to say whether the October 10 votes were free, fair, and transparent, has opted to ignore the legal process that is addressing complaints from political parties and candidates that fraud and irregularities were widespread during the polls. The EU Delegation to Liberia and the Embassies of EU Member States present in Liberia (France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) have rushed to settling deadline for the conclusion of hearings into fraud-related cases while the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Supreme Court are yet to reach a legal determination that will clear doubts engulfing the credibility of the elections. 

EU Wants Swift End To Political Standoff In Liberia, Source: New DEMOCRAT

The EU and its member countries have joined the field of jittery stakeholders frantically seeking an expeditious path out of the potentially volatile political contention, to a smooth democratic transition for Liberia’s stability and economic growth. Liberia’s international partners, including the AU Liaison Office, the Office of the ECOWAS Commission as well as the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), last Monday expressed weariness of the situation if it is not resolved soon, which could affect the much anticipated smooth transition process that should be the first in over seven decades. In a joint statement in Monrovia, the three organizations called for calm, stressed that the legal path is the best way to go. They also called for the expeditious adjudication of the ongoing election disputes. But as concerns about the future of the country continue to pour in from many quarters during the prolonged impasse, the EU in a press statement said the constituted time for the transition must be adhered to. The statement was issued jointly by the EU Delegation to Liberia and the Embassies of EU Member States present in Liberia (France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom.)

Senate Intervenes –Sets up Committee to Mediate Peace Talk, Source: FrontPage Africa

The Liberian Senate says it has been closely following the situation surrounding the 10 October elections. The Senate also stated that they recently had it as a subject of debate during consultation at a Special Retreat held at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County on Tuesday. According to a statement from the Senate Press Bureau, the retreat was aimed at strengthening democracy and its relevant Liberian institutions and consolidating peace in the country. The Senate in a statement said that following the October 10 polls, as would be expected, some individuals, groups, and political parties expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome and have availed themselves to the processes provided by the Liberian Constitution and Election Law. The Senate admonished all aggrieved parties not to do anything that may have the propensity to disrupt the peace, security, and stability of the country. The Senate encouraged the National Elections Commission (NEC) to expeditiously adjudicate all matters before it within the constitutional timelines.

Meanwhile, the Senate has resolved to consult with all relevant political and other national leaders as well as regional and international partners with the aim of resolving disputes arising out of these October 10 elections and to assure the Liberian people and the world that Liberia remains at peace and will strictly follow the constitutional course in the transfer of power. Hence, the Senate has set up a special committee headed by President Pro-Tempore Armah Jallah to work in that direction. Read more

Not sufficient for rerun- says U.S. government but observes take exception, Source: The ANALYST

In a press statement issued in Monrovia Wednesday by the United States Embassy in Monrovia, it says claims by four political parties that the 10 October elections were marred by fraud were not sufficient enough to overturn the outcome of the presidential elections. The statement said the US Government was inspired by the 1.5 million people who turned out to exercise their democratic franchise to vote while underscoring the need for a peaceful transfer of power to a new democratically elected president in January.

‘2017 Elections Was Criminal’ –Ex-NEC Boss, Source: New DEMOCRAT

The former chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Wednesday testified at the commission’s headquarters in Sinkor that the 2017 October elections were criminally conducted and intended to create chaos. Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison responding to inquiry relative to whether or not there was an addendum list in 2005 elections said “no.” Cllr. Allison continued: “We had never had such a practice of addendum. In fact, when you have produced a Final Registration Roll (FRR), it is illegal; it is against the law to try to amend or to alter that particular instrument.” The former NEC boss further noted that “There are not normal occurrences in elections. It likely that something else went on. If you go to elections, you must know who registered, how many eligible registered voters.”

Supreme Court halts NEC again, Source: The New Dawn

The Supreme Court has with immediate effect halted an ongoing hearing of elections fraud and irregularities filed by ruling Unity Party (UP) before the National Elections Commission (NEC). An officer from the Supreme Court walked in the James Fromayan Conference Hall at the NEC Headquarters in the Monrovia suburb of Sinkor on Wednesday to serve a writ of summon on all parties before the Commission while the electoral house was entertaining witnesses from the UP. According to the writ of summon, both the lawyers representing the UP headed by Senator Varney Sherman and former justice minister Benedict Sannoh and the NEC legal team headed by Cllr. Musa Dean are to appear before the Supreme Court Bench today, Thursday. Read more

Witnesses’ testimonies expose election flaws, Source: The ANALYST

The ruling  Unity Party (UP) says it has uncovered huge discrepancies between the Final Voters Roll (FVR) released by the National Elections Commission (NEC) on 23 September and 14 November 2017. A witness, Jeff Blebo testifying for the UP told the administrative hearing board that the FVR released by the NEC showed far less number of voters in the FVR the electoral commission issued Wednesday. “I also discovered that there are more than 35,000 additional names in the November 14 FVR released to the UP by the NEC separate from over 2,000 duplicated voter’s identification cards, which some instances, voters suing one single serial number to vote at multiple polling places.”

Summoned –UP, NEC Legal Teams to Appear before Supreme Court, Source: FrontPage Africa

The Supreme Court has summoned the two parties in the case, Charles Walker Brumskine and Harrison Karnwea, Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates of the Liberty Party (LP) versus The National Elections Commission (NEC) and Unity Party (UP) as co-complainant. The high court on Wednesday issued the writ of summons as a result of a complaint filed the ruling party of being denied necessary information requested from the NEC, through a subpoena. According to the UP, after being denied by the NEC hearing officer, Cllr. Muana Ville, the request to subpoena documents, which include the presiding officers worksheets and addendum listing among others of precincts across the country, they took an appeal to the NEC Board of Commissioners (BOC) and it has been more than a week the BOC has not responded, which has led them to run to the Supreme Court. The pieces of information, according to the UP lawyers, are necessary pieces of evidence in the ongoing hearings now taking place at the NEC. Read more

Weah support backfires among Australian-based Liberians, Source: The New Dawn

The Australian-based Liberian Community has trashed as "misleading, false, and complete lies," claims by its former president Ambassador Bobby Whitfield that the Community with an alleged over 10,000 population in Australia is overwhelmingly supporting the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) presidential candidate, Senator George Weah. Following the publication of Whitfield's claims in The New Dawn on Wednesday, the Liberian Community in Australia immediately communicated with The New Dawn to clarify that members of the Community in question support various political parties in Liberia including the All Liberian Party (ALP), Alternative National Congress (ANC), Liberty Party (LP), ruling Unity Party (UP), as well as the CDC. Read more

Supreme Court in Action again, cites UP, LP, NEC, Sources: INSIGHT and The ANALYST

The Supreme Court of Liberia has cited the ruling Unity Party along with Liberty Party and the National Elections Commission (NEC) today to hear legal argument into a bill of information. The high court calls on the parties to file their briefs on or before 10 a.m. this morning. This follows yesterday’s administrative hearing by the NEC’s Hearing Officers, a hearing that was adjourned because of the citation from the Court summoning all the parties involved in the case.

Liberia on pause! Source: INSIGHT

The Insight reports that Liberia is at a slow pace because of the ongoing lawsuit by the opposition Liberty Party (LP) alleging election fraud in the October 10 elections. The LP’s allegations are being supported by the ruling Unity Party (UP) along with two other parties, All Liberian Party (ALP) and the Alternative National Congress (ANC).

Liberia on time bomb – Sinoe County Representative-elect, Source: The ANALYST

Representative-elect of Sinoe County, Nagbe Sloh has described Liberia as a country sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode into political and constitutional crisis because of the post-election dispute. Mr. Sloh added that if the matter is not resolved as soon as possible, the country may slip into a crisis that would be difficult to find a peaceful solution. He made the comment on a local radio station in Monrovia Monday.

Bong residents appreciate Senator Taylor, Source: The New Dawn

Residents of Bong County have expressed appreciation to the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) for the level of development and awareness it has created regarding the electoral process. The residents have also expressed excitement and joy by the visit of the CDC’s vice standard bearer, Senator Jewel Howard Taylor, saying it is time for Bong to rally around the CDC to ensure that the county gets its first vice president – who is a women’s rights champion. “We are happy to see our daughter and believe in her leadership. This is the best chance we have as a county to have a vice president from our county and her constant engagement with us proves her readiness to take on the country’s second most powerful seat,” a prominent citizen said. Read more

Peace Dialogues Create PRCs in Bong, Margibi, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Daily Observer reports that peace and reconciliation dialogues across districts in Bong and Margibi counties continue amid the ongoing political ‘wahala‘ in the country. An initiative of NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development, the objective of the dialogues is to consolidate peace during and after the 2017 presidential and legislative elections. “These events have been implemented at the county, district and community levels with the participation of diverse members of the county,” NAYMOTE program director Aaron Weah-Weah said in a statement Wednesday. These dialogues have led leaders in some of the project districts to set up Peace and Reconciliation Committees (PRCs) to take on peace initiatives including the organization of reconciliation dialogues especially between defeated representative candidates and those elected in their districts. Read more

Senator Taylor Gets Bong Citizens Kudoos Ahead of Runoff Election, Source: The INQUIRER

Residents of Bong County have expressed appreciation to the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) for the level of development and awareness it has created regarding the electoral process. The residents have also expressed excitement and joy by the visit of the CDC’s vice standard bearer, Senator Jewel Howard Taylor, saying it is time for Bong to rally around the CDC to ensure that the county gets its first vice president – who is a women’s rights champion. “We are happy to see our daughter and believe in her leadership. This is the best chance we have as a county to have a vice president from our county and her constant engagement with us proves her readiness to take on the country’s second most powerful seat,” a prominent citizen said.

10 Slovenian Doctors in Nimba to Perform ‘Free Surgery’, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Ten Slovenian medical doctors are in Nimba County as guests of the Esther and Jereline Medical Center in Ganta to perform ‘free of charge’ hernia surgeries and related cases. Over 400 patients including women, children, and mostly elderly men have registered so far.  The chief medical doctor at the hospital, Dr. George Peters said the ‘free hernia surgical project’ is sponsored by the UK-based “Hernia International.” Read more

LADA Facilitates USD44K Loans From LEAD for Farmers’ Cooperatives, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Liberia Agribusiness Development Activity (LADA) recently facilitated loans worth USD44,000 from Liberia Entrepreneurial Asset Development (LEAD) for six farmer cooperatives in Montserrado County to improve farm productivity. The six farmer cooperatives are Tononvapolue, Mawah, God’s Grace, Zota Estate, Garden Fish and the Low-Cost Village farming clusters. They received loans ranging from USD3,000 to USD10,000. Access to loans still remains a challenge for smallholder farmers and other agribusinesses in Liberia as they lack collateral to borrow money from commercial banks. Also, most commercial banks charge high-interest rates on loans making the loans very difficult for many smallholder farmers. LADA has partnered with LEAD, a microfinance institution that is being supported by the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) in Liberia to promote access to loans for smallholder farmers. Read more

 
  Disclaimer This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIL on the understanding that the choice of articles included is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIL.

 

 

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