By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: A civil society group, under the banner: “Movement for the Protection of Integrity in Liberia (MFPIL)” has called on the National Traditional Council of Liberia (NTCL), Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), and all civil society groups in Liberia to probe the issue of ‘Mask Devil’ involvement in electoral matters that reportedly led to the recent disruption of voting activities in Pleebo Sodoken District in Maryland County.
Recently, Maryland County incumbent Representative, Dr. Bhofal Chambers, who is also Speaker of the House Representatives formally complained to the National Elections Commission (NEC) Hearing Board about a Mask Devil’s involvement in the October 10 Presidential and Legislative elections in that part of the country. Already NEC is investigating Representative Chambers’ complaint.
It is also not clear whether NEC would invite the Mask Devil in connection with the ongoing probe.
In the election held in the District in October this year, former university student leader and activist, Anthony Williams, was declared winner of the polls by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
William, according to NEC, defeated Rep. Bhofal Chambers. Dr. Chambers had been in said Representative position for Pleebo Sodoken District in Maryland County since 2005.
During the voting disruption incident, other reports said polling staffs and poll watchers from different political parties including other NEC officials fled the scene, abandoning ballot boxes when series of controversies ensued, especially after the appearance of a ‘Country Devil’.
It was also gathered that several people got wounded in the violence, following tally process of ballot papers after the closure of voting on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
Sources claimed that six ballot boxes at two precincts were taken by the invading ‘Country Devil’ in the presence of some local traditional leaders, not named.
The reports suggested that the devil brought the boxes outside, stuffed with ballots, while the Town Chief was seen with numerous pre-marked ballot papers as late as 11:00P.M.
The above report has not been independently confirmed or denied by NEC Maryland Election Magistrate up to press time.
However, addressing a major press conference Wednesday, November 8, 2023, Movement for the Protection of Integrity in Liberia,” through its Executive Director, Paul Bordoe, said the alleged action by the “Country Devil” contravenes Liberia’s electoral lawsy and violates human rights as well as certain provisions of the 1986 Liberian Constitution.
Paul Bordoe who is also a Journalist and Publisher of The Eye of the Global, a local daily,
Pointed out that the country devil’s alleged disruption of the elections in Pleebo led to many voters in the area to go home without exercising their constitutional franchise, thus giving one candidate, the advantage to win more votes at the center.
The National Elections Commissions’ (NEC) tallied sheets show candidate Anthony Williams winning the incumbent Representative Chambers with more votes in the precinct.
With the involvement the Country Devil’s, the MOPI Executive Director said, it is expedient for independent civil society organizations in the country to launch an investigation into the matter.
Bordoe disclosed that one of the electoral supervisors, Cece Munah Nimely, at the polling precinct reportedly told preliminary investigators that she was intimated by the masked devil who were said to have been brought out by some traditional leaders.
Bordoe stressed that it is now time for the Council of Churches and traditional authorities to intervene and bring to an end such “nightmare.”
Representative-elect Williams and Rep. Chambers have been in a legal tussle before the NEC Hearing Board.
Rep. Chambers claims he won Williams during the October but he was cheated by some election authorities, thereby calling for re-run in the precinct where incident occurred.
However, Anthony Williams has refuted Rep. Chambers claims, stressing that the “will of the people of Pleebo Sodoken District must be respected all time.”
