By Moses M. Tokpah|Margibi Contributor
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Pa Lamin Beyai says the successful conduct of the Mid-Term Senatorial Elections and National Referendum are critical to ensuring public trust in future elections and mobilizing international partnerships.
He made the assertion at program marking the official turning over ceremony of the newly renovated National Elections Commission’s facilities in Kakata on Monday August 3, 2020.
According to Pa Lamin Beyai, while NEC may be the anchor, they cannot do it alone without the concerted efforts of all stakeholders including Government, Partners, CSOs, Community Based Organizations, Political Parties, other stakeholders, and more importantly, the Liberian people.
Among many others, Mr. Beyai said the focus of everyone should be on the peaceful elections before, during and after, something he said is necessary for any credible elections.
He said NEC should work with all electoral stakeholders to ensure peaceful electoral process in accordance with the 2017 Ganta Declaration and Farmington Declarations.
Mr. Beyai indicated that enhanced awareness and voter education are critical to ensuring that voters, especially first time-voters and women exercise their rights to vote.
He explained that efficiency savings through secure storage of the electoral materials, together with proper maintenance regime, and a well-monitored asset register can decrease the costs of the electoral process.
“We encourage NEC to open discussions with relevant government agencies, and other stakeholders on decreasing the cost of elections; and effectively utilizing existing assets” he said.
Meanwhile, the UNDP Resident Representative said they as partners on request of the National Elections Commission have thought it wise to provide the needed security for the commission through the provision of better storage facilities such as warehouse for electoral materials and ensure that NEC has space without intimidation and hostility.
He said the current project, after extension, will finally end in the coming weeks.
One of the last project activities he said includes the rehabilitation of 12 NEC Magisterial Warehouses, and construction of fences and generator rooms. He narrated that the project had faced several COVID 19 related challenges including lockdown and travel bans.
For her part, the Acting Chairperson of the National Elections Commission Davidetta Browne Lansanah lauded UNDP and and Partners for ensuring that the commission receives the facilities amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Madam Lansanah intoned that their partners could have left the Country as the result of the Virus and the projects could not have been completed.
She said security is a very important aspect of the electoral process and the NEC has experienced lot of “intrusions” during times of elections when Liberians were not satisfied or were questioning some of the procedures found themselves within the premises of the Commissions thereby destroying some of the facilities.
“So with this fence, I don’t know how elated I am, how grateful the elections commission is for this start; and we pray that the other facilities that you may be able to renovate may come soon” she said.
She assured her partners that the Commission will do its best in maintaining the facilities and keep it up to the standard UNDP has left.
