r
training for
polling
The first level of training in preparation
for polling day began in
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recruitment of
polling staff underway
The nationwide recruitment of polling
staff in all counties is in progress. Local communities have been informed
through meetings with local leaders and opinion leaders, who in turn have been briefed
on the dates and venues for recruitment, testing and training by NEC County
Electoral Supervisors and UNMIL Electoral Support Officers. Recruitment is to
be completed by September 23, in order to ensure that by October 7, all 18,600
Polling staff throughout
DC 101 will re-broadcast UNMIL radio’s interviews of
presidential candidates. These will be played once or twice a day, until DC 101
catches up with UNMIL radio, who have been airing these interviews since September
1, with the broadcast being done twice daily of the same candidates. The
coverage area of DC101 is restricted to
To complement the process of accrediting
Observers and Political Party Representatives, 5000 copies of Guidelines and
Code of Conduct for Representatives of Political Parties, Accredited Coalitions
and Alliances, and Independent Candidates are to be widely disseminated
throughout
Political Party and Independent Candidates’
Representatives are urged to commit themselves through a signed declaration, to
abide by the laws of
Giving an update on her
recent 7-day tour of Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh and
Bong counties, Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris said she was able to meet with NEC
local staff and their UNMIL counterparts in the six counties, and assess their
preparedness to conduct/supervise the polls.
The Chair inspected the NEC
county offices and was briefed on the amount of work accomplished, which
includes confirmation of polling precincts and places, commencing the
recruitment of polling staff, and training of Assistant Magistrates in
Monrovia. She also held meetings with local leaders and addressed some of their
concerns regarding the large number of presidential candidates, the manner in
which electoral districts were demarcated.
The Chair and her team
distributed Civic/Voter Education materials to the local people and sensitized
them about the electoral process and on the importance of electing good
leaders.
The tour afforded the Chair
an opportunity to personally experience and understand some of the difficulties
and challenges facing NEC staff and other electoral workers in the field. She
noted that due to deplorable road conditions, particularly in Lofa, some areas
have become inaccessible. She also cited logistical difficulties caused by
frequent breakdowns of Magistrates’ vehicles. Cllr. Johnson-Morris however
indicated that UNMIL Engineers have been doing a great job in rehabilitating
some major roads and repairing damaged bridges.
Asked whether
inaccessibility of some parts of
The Chair
said the staff have always shown commitment and dedication to their duties, and
she believed they would strive to overcome the odds, even if it meant trekking
from village to village to deliver polling materials. She emphasized, though,
that the success of the October 11 elections rests upon the cooperation of all
Liberians and urged them to do whatever they can to support the process.
Requested to
clarify rumors circulating that the ballots will be taken outside of
In response
to a question about whether the election results will be announced
progressively or kept until the total comprehensive results are available, the
Chair said the NEC has not yet made a decision about how and when exactly the
results will be announced. However she said the Commission will ensure that it
upholds the Election Law requirement that the results be announced within 15
days of the polling date. The Chair explained that results of each polling
place will be made available to Political Party Representatives assigned at the
polling place and present during the counting of the ballots.
Asked to explain how the results will be forwarded
to NEC Head Office from the Magistrate Offices, Cllr. Johnson-Morris said the
Commission will use various mediums of communication including e-mail,
telephone, etc.
In response to concerns that IDPs who
did not make it to their county of origin by Election Day will be disenfranchised,
the Chair responded that a substantial number of IDPs had returned home since
registration, so the numbers involved are not too high. She also added that
those who are still in IDP camps are being provided the opportunity to vote for
President, so they are not completely excluded from the process. She stated
that the International partners responsible for returning IDPs to the homes are
continuing with this task and it is the NEC’s belief that the involvement of
IDPs will be substantial on polling day.
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