-Candidate Simeon Taylor gets threat of “punitive action against him”
By Our Staff Writer
As the Grand Cape Mount County Senatorial By-Election campaign opens, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has told Alexander Cummings opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC) that its candidate Mr. Simeon is still on the ballot, as its announcement withdrawing his name is not in line with law.
But the ANC, which put Mr. Taylor’s name forward recently but decided to drop him after their decision brought controversy in their collaboration with three other parties, has now threatened “punitive action” against their chosen candidate.
The former ruling Unity Party (UP) is fielding a candidate in the pending polls to replace the fallen UP Senator, Edward Dagoseh. But in a desperate attempt to save the four-member collaborating parties from disintegrating (UP, ALP,LP and ANC), the ANC might have lost sight of what the country’s elections law says about the timing for the withdrawal of candidates.
In a letter to the ANC Chairman Senator Daniel Nathan dated September 10, 2019 and signed by NEC’s Chairman Cllr. Jerome Korkoya said: “We have reviewed the Elections Law and have found no supporting provision that would warrant granting your request. Accordingly, you will be advised that the Commission will maintain Mr. Taylor on the ballot for the Grand Cape Mount County Senatorial By-Election scheduled for October 2019.”
The provision of the law NEC was quoting is Section 4.7 A of the new elections law of Liberia September 2014 under the title Period of permissible withdrawal.
It says: 1 A candidate may withdraw from contesting an election by giving a written notice to the Commission no later than seven (7) days after the last day for receiving nominations under section 4.5 and a withdrawal notice after this date is null and void. 2. Sub-section 1 does not apply to the second round of a presidential election.”
But in a press statement issued on Tuesday, “The Alternative National Congress (ANC) has expressed disappointment over the decision of the National Elections Commission (NEC), rejecting ANC’s request to withdraw its candidate, Simeon B. Taylor, from the Grand Cape Mount County senatorial by-elections.”
The ANC has left opened its option to pursue legal action to challenge NEC’s decision to maintain its candidate, Simeon Taylor on the ballot.
According to the party, it aggressively disagrees and objects to NEC decision and interpretation of the law, and is exploring legal options to contest the decision. ANC says it cannot be forced to sponsor and field a candidate it no longer supports.”
Meanwhile, the ANC has threatened to take tough action against candidate Taylor, who has vowed to maintain his bid to fill the vacant Senate seat in Grand Cape Mount.
“The ANC strongly condemns the action of its partisan, Mr. Simeon Taylor, for disrespecting the party’s decision to have him withdrawn. The ANC will not support Mr. Taylor in the by-elections, and will institute punitive action against him, consistent with the party’s constitution,” the opposition party of Alex Cummings said in its Tuesday’s press statement.
It says it remains committed to the unity of the Collaborating Political Parties, and will support the candidate endorsed by the CPP.
NEC releases final list of candidates
At the same time, NEC has released its final List of Candidates for the Grand Cape Mount County Senatorial By-election, featuring the name of ANC’s Simeon Taylor.
A press release says the National Elections Commission (NEC) has accepted seven candidates to participate in the senatorial By-election in Grand Cape Mount County.
The seven candidates include two females and one independent.
The candidates are: Mathew Darblo of the Vision for Liberia Transformation (VOLT), Kula Fofana of the Coalition for Liberia’s Progress (CLP), Daoda Metzger, an independent candidate, Simeon Taylor of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Dabah Varplah of the Unity Party, Victor Watson of the People’s Unification Party (PUP), and Sando Wayne of the Untied People’s Party (UPP).
The Grand Cape Mount By-election comes as a result of the death of Senator Edward Dagoseh who died recently. The By-election is scheduled for Saturday October 5, 2019.
In their acceptance letters, the Commission notified the candidates of their rights and responsibilities under Liberian Law, specifically the Constitution; the New Elections Law, as amended; the Campaign Finance Regulations; and the Campaign Regulations. The Candidates are also reminded to abide by the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Independent Candidates.
Meanwhile, the Commission has officially declared the campaign the By-election open. The campaign will officially close on October 3, 2019 at 11:59pm.
The NEC is calling on all parties and candidates to present an official campaign schedule for smooth conduct of the campaign. NEC also warns parties, candidates, and supporters against violence throughout the entire campaign period.