YARPAH TOWN, River Cess – The National Elections Commission has launched the Civic and Voter Education Campaign for the ensuing 2017 presidential and representative elections.

The campaign was launched across the country on Tuesday, Dec. 20. In River Cess, Initial Wesseh read a special statement on behalf of Jeanette A. Ebba-Davidson, the NEC Oversight Commissioner for the county. In the statement, the commissioner called on residents to see the voter registration exercise as “everybody’s business.”

Meanwhile, some River Cess citizens have called on NEC to provide additional polling centers in the county before the elections.

Initial Wisseh, administrative assistant to the oversight commissioner for River Cess, Janet Ebba-Davison. Photo: Eric Duoe

NEC officials say there are 42 polling centers in the county currently, but Isaac Williams, the county information officer for River Cess, noted that many people did not register during the 2011 voter registration exercise due to their distance from the polling centers.

“People had to cover three to four hours walking distances before reaching one center,” Williams said. “If there are additional centers, more people will register and the number of registered voters will increase.”

Another prominent resident, Samuel Jacobs, the district superintendent of Central River Cess District, wants NEC to place centers at various mining sites in the county.

“We have several mining areas in this county where there are more than 5,000 eligible voters working,” Jacobs said. “I am appealing to the National Elections Commission to carry centers in these camps. This will increase our number.”

Central River Cess district superintendent Samuel Jacobs. Photo: Eric Duoe

In response, William Tompoe, the elections magistrate, said the call for additional centers would be heeded.

“Your concern is well noted. The NEC has planned to place additional centers in all of the 15 counties,” Tompoe said. “The only thing I cannot say is how many centers per county, but as we speak, the commission is collecting some data for the placement of additional centers. ”

There were less than 30,000 registered voters in River Cess during the 2011 elections, but the number increased to 31,000 during the 2014 voter roll update.

While River Cess is Liberia’s eighth largest county, it is the fourth most sparsely populated county (tied with River Gee), making it difficult for its more than 70,000 to access the 42 polling centers being provided by NEC.

Featured photo by Eric Duoe