GBARNGA, Bong – The chairman of the National Elections Commission, Jerome Korkoya, says the commission will engage in a robust civic education campaign in all parts of Bong to help voters understand the processes and events leading to the senatorial by-election in the county.
Korkoya said civic education is important in elections because it sets the stage for voters to understand their civic responsibilities and make informed decisions.
He was speaking in Gbarnga on Tuesday at the official launch of the civic voter education campaign for the 2018 senatorial by-election in Bong.
There are 208,123 eligible voters in Bong, according to NEC.
“The commission has put in place the requisite administrative structure and strategy to reach out to every part of the county, meaning Bong County, to create awareness for the maximum participation of all eligible citizens in the by-election,†Korkoya said.
Korkoya called on political parties and contestants in the by-election and their supporters to be peaceful during the campaign and the election.
“It is incumbent upon all of us during this electoral period to conduct ourselves peacefully at all times, respecting the rights of others as we equally would want them to respect us,†the NEC boss noted.
Jorquelleh Chiefdom’s paramount chief, Mary Larteh, cautioned those selected by NEC for the campaign to be sincere and reach out to hard to reach communities with civic education messages.
Jorquelleh Chiefdom paramount chief, Mary Larteh. Photo: Moses Bailey.
She said, in the past, most civic voter education workers did not reach remote places.
“Election needs to be free and fair; you people that will be doing the work should do it with fairness so that the election here can be done properly. This will help the citizens to know how and when to vote,†Larteh said.
Bong’s superintendent, Esther Walker, promised the local administration’s commitment to working with NEC and all other electoral stakeholders to maintain peace and security during the by-election.
Bong superintendent, Esther Walker. Photo: Moses Bailey.
Walker called on citizens to be peaceful as they campaign for their various candidates.
“Election is everybody’s business; it is the people’s choice of who they elect, it is not what one person wants. And we promise you, we will give you that freedom, you are allowed to vote who you want,†she said.
The National Elections Commission has recruited, trained, and deployed 77 civic educators and gender mobilizers across Bong and Montserrado.
The civic voter education launch in Bong was attended by youth, local government and traditional leaders, as well as members of civil society.
Featured photo by Moses Bailey
