Liberia: Huge Turnover, Poor Education on Referendum in Bomi
The senatorial election and the national referendum are being jointly conducted across the country today. Under a favorable weather condition, eligible voters in Tubmanburg were scene in long queues at various polling precincts to cast their ballots. No idea on referendumFrontPage Africa gathered that vast majority of the electorates had little or no idea on the national referendum. Poll workers interventionPoll workers are catching hell in educating or providing information to voters on the national referendum. Some poll workers are imploring additional means or options to ensure that the voters partake in the national referendum.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 08, 2020 12:18 UTC
Liberia: Youth in Gbarpolu County Run Away with Four Ballot Boxes; Voting Activities Halted
Liberia: Youth in Gbarpolu County Run Away with Four Ballot Boxes; Voting Activities HaltedMONROVIA – FrontPageAfrica has gathered that some citizens in Gbarpolu County have run away with four ballot boxes in retaliation to suspected Sierra Leoneans who reportedly crossed over to vote in the county. Thomas Bowier, a presiding officer there, told FrontPageAfrica that all four polling places are currently closed. He said NEC staff have engaged the paramount chief to intervene but the youth in the area insist they will not return the ballot boxes until they see the ‘foreigners’ return. FrontPageAfrica gathered that most of those who crossed over from neighboring Sierra Leone had come to vote for Botoe Kanneh. Bowier said all election activity is at a standstill until the ballot boxes are returned.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 08, 2020 11:54 UTC
Liberia: 'You Don't Need Mask to Vote'
MONROVIA – The chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansanah says no voter would be denied their right to vote whether they wear a mask or not. Speaking on the Prime FM on Tuesday morning, Madam Lansanah said though the NEC encourages voters to respect the COVID-19 health protocols, no citizen with a valid voter ID card must not be denied their right to vote. She encouraged voters who would be turned away to report to the NEC by calling 0770 326 028 or 0880 144 137. Madam Lansanah, however, said due to several reports of voters being rejected because of mask, she has dispatched teams in the field to visit various precinctsto have that action corrected. According to the NEC Chairperson, though everyone would be given the opportunity to vote, no voter would be allowed to join the queue after 6pm.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 08, 2020 11:03 UTC
Liberia: Mass Turnout in Montserrado County Senatorial Election
Monrovia – Voters in Montserrado County began turning out in huge numbers early Tuesday morning to cast their ballots in special senatorial election and referendum. A tour by FrontPageAfrica observed that very long queues at many voting precincts. By comparison, the turnout so far appears surpass that of the 2019 by-election that brought the incumbent Senator Darius Dillon who is seeking reelection to power. There is, however, no health measures in place at the voting precincts, though some voters were observed wearing masks.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 08, 2020 10:18 UTC
Bong Voters Wait in Hours-Long Lines at Polls for Early Balloting
Gbarnga – Early voting kickoff on Tuesday in Bong with hours-long waits at some polling locations amid what elections officials said is a record-high turnout. Beatrice Mulbah, 24, was at her polling place around 8:10 am. It took more than 30 minutes to work her way to the front of the line, she said, speaking to FrontPageAfrica as she was about to be allowed in to cast her ballot. “I have never waited this long before and I am hoping this is actually a good sign for this the turnout of this year’s election,” she said. Waits are even longer at the David Kuyon Sports stadium, Gboveh High School campus and the William V. S. Tubman Gray High School – three of the main polling centers in Gbarnga, with some voters telling our reporter they’d been in the line for more than an hour.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 08, 2020 09:11 UTC
ULIMO’s Alieu Kosiah Denies Cannibalistic Killing During Civil War in Liberia
Mr. Kosiah, 45, was arrested in Switzerland in 2014 and the indictment accuses him of participating in the killing of 18 civilians. Projecting himself as the victim, Mr. Kosiah accused the victims’ lawyers of being part of a conspiracy. Struggling with inconsistencies, Mr. Kosiah acknowledged that he was a member of the platoon with the rank of sergeant. Mr. Kosiah said he only had two names during the war – Coach Kosiah and Physical Cash. On the issue of how they survived, Mr. Kosiah said housing was not a problem for the rebels.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 08, 2020 00:56 UTC
Liberia: COVID-19 Election Monitoring Group Calls for Increased Security Presence in Liberia’s ‘Volatile’ Western region Ahead of Tuesday’s Polls
Monrovia – The COVID-19 Election Monitoring and Violence Prevention Situation Room (CEMViP-SR), otherwise known as the ‘Situation Room’ has called for increased security presence in violent prone areas of Liberia ahead of the December 8 senatorial elections and constitutional referendum. “The Situation Room is particularly concerned about the volatile situation in Western Liberia, particularly Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Countise that has characterized election violence and created a state of insecurity among the citizenry and eligible voters. It calls on residents in those counties to avoid all acts that have the propensity to derail the process and the sanctity of the areas concerned,” the Situation Room said. The group also cautioned the populace to adhere to the health protocols by the Ministry of Health and partners during tomorrow’s elections. The Situation Room is a government-backed platform set up to monitor, track and report on critical issues relating to COVID-19 and the Special Senatorial Elections that have implications for violence.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 23:26 UTC
Liberia: ‘Say No To Sitting Representatives’ – MARTERSEL Warns Voters on Election Eve
Monrovia- With just few hours to Election Day, the Movement Against the Election of Representatives to the Senate of Liberia (MATERSEL) has reiterated its call for voters to reject all members of the House of Representatives contesting for senatorial posts. We must open our eyes on the existing reality and as such, we must stand up to speak out against them. We cannot repeatedly replicate mistakes and blame it on those we elect because we ourselves are the creation of the mistakes. Our economy is traumatizing, and we must Vote them out.”There are several sitting members of the House of Representatives who are currently vying for seats at the Upper House. But MARTERSEL condemned the ideology and described such behavior as humiliating, lackadaisical and has the audacity of dumping taxpayer’s money into the state of jeopardy.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 23:14 UTC
Liberia: Massive Trucking to Bomi County Start; FPA Reporter Chased from Trucking Scene
MONROVIA – Thousands of would-be voters have gathered in Brewerville preparing to board NTA bus destined for Bomi County ahead of Tuesday polls. Prior to his escape, he observed a white vehicle with several individuals giving instructions to those boarding the bus. He also observed those boarding the buses arguing over payment of money before boarding. He gathered that those boarding the bus are supporters of Bomi County senatorial candidate J. Alex Tyler. FrontPageAfrica first observed the bus in Brewerville on Monday morning at the CDC head office in the VOA area.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 22:07 UTC
Liberia: “We Do Not and Cannot Trust This NEC” – Opposition CPP Chairman Alexander Cummings Writes on Facebook
Liberia: “We Do Not and Cannot Trust This NEC” – Opposition CPP Chairman Alexander Cummings Writes on FacebookMonrovia – The Chairman of the opposition, Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Alexander B. Cummings, has alarmed over last-minute irregularities, as Liberians prepare to go to polls on Tuesday. In a post on Facebook, Mr. Cummings wrote: “We do not and cannot trust this Elections Commission. He said, the Elections Commission refused to work with and listen to other political parties. The CPP Chairman, however, maintained that he is certain of an opposition victory. All I want for my birthday is a VICTORY for our candidates tomorrow,” Cummings stated.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 21:45 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Vows to Prosecute Culprits of Cape Mount Pre-electoral Violence
Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah has ordered the prosecution of those who would be found culpable for recent pre-election violence in Grand Cape Mount County. Already, the police have arrested several individuals in connection with the Cape Mount violence,” President Weah stressed. President Weah said it is the hope of government that everyone remains safe, while exercising their political franchise on Tuesday. “This is why I am sad over recent incident of violence, especially, the situation which occurred in Grand Cape Mount County, where properties we’re destroyed and injury sustained,” President Weah said. President Weah who is also a political leader of the ruling Coalition For Democratic Change said no Liberian must destroy the country in the name of promoting political interest.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 21:00 UTC
Liberia: Senate Race Renews Taylor’s Relations with Bong County
A crowd glance at a banner at the office of senatorial candidate Menipakei Dumoe in Gbarnga, Bong County. Over 22,000 human rights violations were committed in Bong County as a whole, the second highest number of violations, behind Montserrado County. He left the people of Bong County with a vision that they should think big and look beyond the present circumstances. Bong County is the natural center of Liberia and this is where the national capital city should be. The 2017 presidential results in Bong County show that the CDC amassed 61,520 votes, or 40 percent of the total votes cast in the county.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 20:41 UTC
Liberia: MPC Supports the Holding of Referendum
MONROVIA – As Liberians go to the polls on Tuesday to vote in a midterm senate election as well as the, one of Liberia’s opposition political parties, Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) of businessman Simeon Freeman has pledged support for the holding of the referendum. The MPC through its national Chairman O’Neal Passewe said the holding of the referendum and its eight prepositions does not in any way mean the entire Constitution will be completely changed. Passaway differed with those in the opposition calling for the cancellation or boycotting of the referendum and called on them to desist. Recently some opposition parties called for a boycott of the process, saying they are not participating in a referendum because it has not met the criteria spelled out in the Constitution. The MPC Chairman at a news conference over the weekend said the clauses of the referendum calling for the reduction of elected officials are a breakthrough for Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 20:30 UTC
Liberia: NGO Uses Disabled People’s Talents As Poverty-Eradication Strategy
“We will now welcome our first volunteer performer,” Coach Leo said. “Let’s clap for our colleagues and classmates as they go on stage!” Coach Leo commanded the body of disabled and able-bodied students. “Thank Artiste Daniel and his back-up dancers with a deafening applause!” Coach Leo commanded the audience when the performance ended. At the end of the coaching session, I spoke with two officials of the Gabanja International Volunteer Program, a non-for-profit one. On implementation methods, the leadership of the Gabanja International Volunteer Program hires professional persons to help on coaching.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 19:30 UTC
Liberia: The Dillion Experiment: The Rise of a New Generation of Leaders
Sen. Dillion is contesting the Senatorial Seat of Montserrado County in the Special Senatorial election scheduled to take place on December 8, 2020. to Sen. Dillion during the march was a clear manifestation of his high job approval ratings and renewal of his mandate. Wait a minute, does that mean Dillion is Weah of 2005, and Weah of 2020 has now become Dillion of 2005? This is unusual in our legislative politics, but usual for an authentic legislator, Sen. Dillion as he’s proven to be. Sen. Dillion is obviously not the first to initiate the salary reduction conversation, but his practical action set him apart.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2020 19:18 UTC