Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA– The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) is calling for the expeditious resolution of the “notice of injunction and temporary restraining order’ placed on the elections of officers of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) by the sixth judicial Circuit Court of Montserrado County.
A stay order was placed on the elections, which was in progress at the PUL headquarters in Monrovia last Saturday.
The process is suspended as members of the Union await the court’s decision In a Press Release issued on Sunday, November 10, 2019, ALJA says it is taking aback by the legal wrangle; and warned that while it remains respectful of the legal process, a drawn-out court battle could potentially create a leadership quagmire in the Union and demoralized the enthusiasm of the Union’s members, who are eager to settle the question of leadership in the Union through the ballot box.
The Diaspora based Liberian Journalists Association stressed that as watchdogs of the society, the PUL and its membership must ensure that the elections are held in a manner that is inclusive, free, fair and transparent. Anything to the contrary, ALJA stressed, would compromise the PUL’s voice as an integrity institution.
Meanwhile, the Association is calling on the two Presidential candidates, incumbent Charles Coffey and Mr. Octavin Williams, and their supporters to ensure that the union remains united even as the legal process plays out. ALJA says it remains committed to working with any leadership of the union that would evolve out of the electoral process. The Association then called on all sides to the legal battle to remain respectful of the laws of Liberia; and desist from actions and utterances that are inimical to the peace and stability in the PUL.
According to news reports, some PUL members on Saturday, November 9, 2019, filed a petition before Judge Roland Dahn of the Civil Law court alleging gross violation of the PUL constitution and other irregularities for which they claimed the elections should be cancelled. The petitioners accused the leadership of incumbent President, Charles Coffey of constitutional violations, which could impugn the integrity of the union. However, the Coffey administration has since distance itself from the allegations terming them as unfounded.
ALJA is a conglomeration of current and retired Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. It is a 501c (3) non-profit organization.
The Association was founded in 1998 and is committed to advancing press freedom through media capacity building and the fostering of good governance in Liberia through media advocacy.