By: Frank P Martin
MONROVIA: A distinguished member of the Advisory Council of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Chief Cyril Allen, has called on Liberians to uphold the values of peace and democracy as the nation fast approaches the 10, October, 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.
Chief Allen, who also serves as Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), a constituent member of the ruling CDC, emphasized that the essence of democracy lies in peaceful processes, not violence and the desecration of the rule of law.
The tough-talking Liberian political leader warned Liberian electorate against acts such as stone-throwing, denigration of political rivals, and verbal clashes among others.
He maintains that such actions stand in stark contrast to the fundamental principles of democracy.
“Demonstrating democracy means reaching out to the people, elucidating your manifesto, and persuading them through dialogue and engagement, rather than resorting to violence,” Chief Allen pointed out.
The respected intellectual and progressive politician stressed the importance of transparent, free, fair and credible electoral process.
He called on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to guarantee the highest standards of transparency and fairness in the crucial Presidential and Legislative elections, by ensuring that the results accurately reflect the popular will of the Liberian people.
In a firmer tone, Chief Allen confronted the possibility of electoral manipulations, cautioning against any attempts to tamper with the election results. He spoke via state radio station, ELBC, recently in Monrovia.
He challenged the NEC to uphold its responsibility and conduct the elections with unwavering integrity, assuring citizens that their voices will be heard and their votes respected.
As Liberia stands at a crossroad, Chief Allen’s passionate plead serves as a powerful reminder as it relates to the nation’s desire and resolve to uphold democratic values, peaceful, transparent and credible elections in October.
With his resolute call for violence free polls in October, fairness, the renowned political leader rekindled the hope of many Liberians at home and abroad, and the country’s international development partners that the pending polls will be a testament to Liberia’s enduring democratic spirit, said James Arthur Wleemongar, a local civil society activist in Central Monrovia.
It may be recalled that on 4, April, 2023, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, leaders of 27 political parties signed a Pact, styled: Farmington River Declaration 2023, committing themselves to a peaceful presidential and Legislative elections in the country.
The Farmington River Pact builds on the foundation of similar non-violence electoral deal inked in 2017 by political parties.
The April 2023 signing ceremony was organized by the National Elections Commission (NEC), with the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations (UN), European Union, among others.
Representatives from the government, civil society groups, the diplomatic community graced the occasion. The UN and ECOWAS signed the agreement as witnesses.
On behalf of the United Nations, Ms. Giovanie Biha, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Acting Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), signed the agreement. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, signed on behalf of ECOWAS.
