How citizens know the power of their votes
Olive Bolbort could not vote in the first round of elections on October 10, 2017 because her mother was seriously ill in hospital, something that kept the family on edge.
Olive told www.newspublictrust.com as she stood in the queue to vote on December 26 in Monrovia’s Gardnersville suburb, she dare not miss the opportunity to cast her ballot for Liberia’s next President in the just-ended presidential runoff election this time.
“I think voting will make Liberia better and I am voting for my future,” the young Liberian female student said.
Standing next to her was Harriette Greene, a Nurse who said voting is her right that she would do everything to exercise, because every vote counts.
According to her, the future of this country rests with the kind of leaders Liberian choose, as she declined to state which one of the two presidential candidates she she would vote for.
On the ballot paper are football icon and now Senator George Weah of the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party (UP).
Harriette said while Liberian voters have got to exercise their democratic franchise, they must respect the will of the majority at the end of the day, calling for the peace to be kept both on polling day and after the election.
“If your candidate doesn’t win this election, people should accept the results,” the young Liberian female Nurse urged her fellow compatriots.
As for young Liberian Barber and businessman Erasmus G. Bucket of in the capital, he looks forward to the runoff elections bringing change in Liberia.
“We need a bit of change to improve our country’s economy, educational system and health,” Erasmus says.
But the Liberian businessman advised the young and old people to stay away from violence as “they vote for their rights.”
Although the 2017 elections was not characterized by clash of political parties and candidates’ ideologies/issues but rather personalities, many voters trooped to the polls knowing that their votes can made a difference in deciding who Liberia’s next president will be.
Quite many others spoken to believe in the power of their votes.
And if it had not been so, they would not have left their homes a day after the festive Christmas celebrations to cast their ballots.
If all goes well and remain peaceful, the 2017 election of the next President will mark the first time in 73 years that one elected president will hand over power to another elected president in Liberia.
Article 1 of the Liberian Constitution gives citizens the power to determine who their leaders are periodically.
“All power is inherent in the people. All free governments are instituted by their authority and for their benefit and they have the right to alter and reform the same when their safety and happiness so require. In order to ensure democratic government which responds to the wishes of the governed, the people shall have the right at such period, and in such manner as provided for under this Constitution, to cause their public servants to leave office and to Liberian Constitution,” says Article 1 of the Liberian Constitution. Report by Frank Sainworla, Jr.