-As ECC Strongly Condemns Trend of Electoral Violence; Says It Could Undermine Liberia’s Fragile Democracy
The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) strongly condemns the wave of electoral violence that has continuously marred the Montserrado county by-elections. This trend and pattern of violence and lawlessness has the propensity to undermine the rule of law and the country’s fragile democracy. These trends of violence are an early warning indication that our democracy is under threat.
The ECC calls on the government to move beyond condemnation of the violence and to take concrete actions to ensure that those who perpetrate acts of violence leading to injuries and the destruction of property are held to account. The rule of law begins with the criminal justice system and the police has a critical role to play in building public trust in the manner in which it deals with citizens.
ECC also calls on all political parties and their leaders to demonstrate leadership in the conduct of their activities. Our country must be guided by the experience of the past so that we can never go down that path again.
The ECC calls on the government and security entities to take on strict measures that will prevent subsequent electoral violence.
About the ECC and Observation of the 2017 Presidential and Legislative Elections
The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) is a civil society platform, comprising six (6) organizations that observe elections in Liberia. The members include: Actions for Genuine Democratic Alternatives (AGENDA); Center for Democratic Governance (CDG); Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP); Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD); Naymote Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD); West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP), and the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL).
The ECC works in partnership with the Liberia Accountability Voice Initiative (LAVI) with support from USAID. TNR
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.
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