PAYNESVILLE, Montserrado – Unity Party presidential candidate Joseph Boakai says his team is in solidarity with opposition parties claiming electoral fraud and irregularities during the October 10 polls.
The vice president made the comments during a special statement issued at his private residence in Paynesville on Monday afternoon.
“We stand in solidarity with all the political parties, including the Liberty Party, Alternative Congress, and All Liberian Party and stakeholders who have raised concerns about the acts of irregularities and fraud at some polling places,†he said.
Like the opposition party, Boakai said they too from the ruling party have been gathering reports from field agents pointing to some irregularities and inefficiencies of the electoral management team that prevented citizens and some of its supporters from exercising their constitutional right to vote.
“We have consulted our team of legal and technical experts who have examined the velocity and the magnitude of these reports in order to decide on the proper course of action consistent with the laws of Liberia,†he said.
He called on the National Elections Commission and responsible stakeholders to the process to expeditiously review the concerns being raised by multiple parties to take an appropriate action to protect the integrity and sanctity of the country’s electoral system.
The Unity Party standard bearer is at the same time demanding that NEC clean up and republish the final voter roll to enable voters to ascertain well in advance, inclusion of their names on the final voter roll. Publishing the list, he said, would allow voters to identify polling precincts and centers where they would vote in the runoff presidential race.
This exercise, he believes will reduce confusion and long delays experienced by voters.
According to him, as the country prepares to transition from one constitutionally elected administration to another, through a democratic and peaceful means, any mandate coming from the electoral exercise must truly reflect the collective free will of citizens.
Boakai praised partisans and supporters of his candidacy and encouraged them to continue their commitment in the runoff elections.
He also encouraged other political parties to support his team in the run-off elections, promising to form a government of inclusion, bringing on board every Liberian capable of contributing to the country’s progress, disregarding political and social backgrounds.
According to him, the next government under his stewardship will promote a democratic space where political differences are resolved, not through the force of arms, but through the will of citizens expressed through their votes.
“We will uphold the basic freedoms as enshrined in our constitution, including freedoms of association and of the press,†he stressed.
Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party, the Alternative National Congress of Alexander Cummings, and Benoni Urey’s All Liberian Party have all reported there were fraud and irregularities observed at several polling stations.
According to Brumskine, the October 10 electoral process did not pass the minimum standards required for free, fair, and transparent elections.
Cardinal among issues observed in the October 10 election was the problem with registered voters not finding their names on the voter roll, even if they were at the same location at which they registered. The situation contributed to some voters not being able to vote up to the close of polling stations.
Featured photo by Lloyd Massah
