118 Candidates To Battle For 15 Senatorial Seats -As NEC Declares Campaign Open By Mark N. Mengonfia –mmenginfia@gmail.com

One hundred and eighteen (118) candidates have been cleared by the National Elections Commission (NEC) to contest in the upcoming December 8, 2020 special Senatorial elections.

Out of the 118 certified candidates for the senatorial seats, 98 of them are males and 20 females who have rolled their sleeves to battle each other for the 15 seats at the Liberian Senate.

The National Elections Commission Wednesday November 18, 2020 declare open ahead of the December 8, 2020 poll.

The NEC also published the final lists of candidates for the two Representative By-Elections in District nine, Montserrado County and District two Sinoe County, respectively.

The list according to the NEC for the District nine, Montserrado County By-election has a total of 8 Candidates. The list for the District two Sinoe County By-election also has a total of 8 Candidates totaling the number of persons contesting for both senatorial and representatives’ seats to 134.

Opening of the campaign activities for the Special Senatorial Elections was originally scheduled for October 10, 2020, but on October 9, 2020, the NEC was served with a writ from the Supreme Court of Liberia ordered to stay all proceedings and or actions on the listing and publication of names of candidates, pending the outcome of the hearing in the Jackollie versus NEC case.

NEC Chairperson, Davidetta Browne Lansanah

Officially declaring opening of campaign period after the Court has approved the process said, “With the lifting of the stay order, the NEC earlier today published the final list of candidates for the Special Senatorial Elections. The list has a total of 118 Candidates.”

Madam Lansanah said the process of campaigning runs from November 18, 2020 and ends 24 hours before Polling Day, which is 6 December 2020 at midnight.

The NEC chairperson who appeared panic about how pre campaign activities have been violent said, “I wish to call on all candidates and their supporters to go about their campaign activities in a peaceful manner.”

She went on saying, “Please avoid rancor and bitter exchanges. Show respect for each other as you go about your campaign activities in line with the code of conduct concerning campaign activities.”

She said the NEC takes seriously the submission of campaign schedules by all political parties and independent candidates as per the campaign requirements issued to all aspirants during the Candidates Nomination Period.

She indicated that they at the NEC will give all political parties and independent candidates full priority on a first come, first serve basis for those who have already submitted their Campaign schedules.

“Absolutely, no two parties or candidates will be allowed to launch their campaigns or close their campaigns on the same day,” the NEC boss said.

Not too sure of the possibility, but the NEC boss admonished all candidates and their supporters to observe all public health regulations instituted by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health.

Little attention is being given the National Referendum which will concomitantly run with the December 8, 2020 SSE and the two by-elections.

Liberians will on the same day of the election be voting to change election date from October to November, reducing the time a President, Senator or Representatives has to stay in power.

Also, the referendum has a provision that is seeking for dual citizenship.