MONROVIA, Montserrado – The National Elections Commission has officially declared the campaign period opened for the October 10 presidential and legislative elections.

The declaration coincided with the release of the final list of qualified candidates to contest the elections.

The pronouncement was made on Sunday and set the period of campaigning opened as of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 31 until Sunday, October 8 at 11:59 p.m.

Making the declaration, NEC Chairman Jerome Korkoya said the commission had fulfilled its duty to screen candidates for elected offices, and accredit or reject the candidacy of anyone deemed unqualified according to set guidelines.

“In keeping with the legal provisions cited herein, we have gathered here today to release the final list of candidates and declare political campaign for the 2017 Elections opened,” he said.

A total of 1,026 individuals has been qualified as candidates following scrutiny of the applications submitted.

Among the total number of qualified individuals are 20 pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates, two of which are independent. The 986 candidates certified as representative candidates are contesting for 73 seats.

According to Korkoya, only 163 of the total number of qualified candidates are female, constituting 15.9 percent.

The campaign period allows candidates and political parties to publish or display campaign literature, posters, and merchandise designed to support their election. Candidates can also now hold marches, parades, rallies, or other assemblies for the purpose of soliciting voters.

Korkoya called on parties and candidates to observe the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and refrain from tearing down campaign materials of their opponents.

“Parties and candidates are strongly urged to refrain from the use of invectives in their campaign speeches, on radio talk shows, and at rallies, to avoid inciting their followers and to maintain the sanctity of our elections,” he said.

“The commission expects parties and candidates to conduct their campaign activities in a cordial and mature manner and to contribute to the conduct of a peaceful election.”

Korkoya reminded political parties and candidates of their commitment to a peaceful election as enshrined in both the Ganta Agreement and the Farmington River Declaration.

Additionally, he warned candidates to avoid violating legal requirements that limit campaign expenses to US$2 million for presidential candidates, US$1 million for vice-presidential candidates, and US$400,000 for a representative candidate.

According to him, the commission will provide forms on which candidates are to report their campaign expenses.

The announcement of the campaign period is largely symbolic as candidates have been traveling across the country, displaying posters and holding rallies supporting their candidacies. While NEC warned the parties to refrain from premature campaigning, the elections body did not penalize anyone.

Meanwhile, the commission said accreditation of election observers will commence on August 5 and end on October 5. International organizations wishing to serve as observers have been encouraged to pick up accreditation forms from NEC’s Political Affairs Section and magisterial offices across the country.

Earlier, the commission released the final voter roll, comprising the summary of the ultimate list of 2,183,683 registered voters for the pending legislative and presidential elections.

Featured photo by Zeze Ballah