As Liberia marks the first anniversary of the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, the Center for Development and Election Management (CEDEM) has issued a strong report questioning the credibility of the electoral process and demanding urgent reforms within the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Obtained by Verity Online News, the detailed five-page document accuses the NEC of widespread irregularities that CEDEM believes undermined the integrity of the elections despite official claims of a free and fair process.
The report categorically challenges assertions that the 2023 elections met democratic standards, detailing 12 specific points of concern. CEDEM argues that the NEC exhibited a lack of competence, integrity, and neutrality, revealing systemic flaws that, if unaddressed, could erode public trust in Liberia’s electoral system.
Among the primary accusations levied against the NEC are claims of partisan behavior, particularly involving officials appointed under former President George Weah’s administration. CEDEM contends that many officials, lacking the historical understanding necessary for a transparent election, were implicated in several politically biased actions.
The report highlights the controversial handling of the 2022 Lofa County Senatorial By-election, where the NEC allegedly favored the Alternative National Congress (ANC) and Musa Bility’s faction, denying the Unity Party the right to field a candidate until the Supreme Court intervened.
CEDEM also raises concerns about voter registration manipulations, alleging that the phased registration process favored CDC strongholds while under-registering opposition strongholds, such as Lofa County. The report also criticizes the use of dual registration systems, combining digital voter registration with manual voting, which it claims created opportunities for multiple voting incidents, particularly in southeastern Liberia.
Another alarming issue highlighted in the report is the registration of over 20 political parties without proper documentation, which CEDEM argues was a strategy to fragment opposition votes. Additionally, the report documents cases of pre-marked ballots in favor of the CDC and interference in the election process, citing a controversial helicopter landing in Foya, Lofa County, during the second round of voting.
In response to these allegations, CEDEM calls for an independent financial audit of the NEC to account for the $53 million allocated for the elections, including $5 million designated for civic and voter education, which allegedly produced no results. The organization stresses the need for impartial oversight during the audit and reform processes, proposing appointing an interim leadership team to oversee the NEC’s operations.
Furthermore, CEDEM is pushing for a comprehensive review of Liberia’s election laws, focusing on improving voter registration practices, ensuring accountability in handling election funds, and revisiting the qualifications and composition of NEC commissioners.
While CEDEM credits the international community, including ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), and the United States, for mitigating potential fallout from the flawed elections, it underscores the NEC’s inability to manage a credible election process independently. CEDEM commends these entities’ technical and financial assistance but highlights the NEC’s shortcomings.
The report concludes with a stark warning: without significant reforms, future elections in Liberia risk suffering from the same irregularities. CEDEM advocates for establishing stringent qualifications for NEC commissioners and implementing measures to address voter manipulation and irregularities in the voter roll.
As Liberia prepares for its next electoral cycle, CEDEM’s advocacy highlights the pressing need for reforms to safeguard democracy. The question remains whether the government and relevant stakeholders will take the necessary steps to address these concerns and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent.
