By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
FISH TOWN, RIVER GEE, Liberia- Reports from southeastern Liberia say although many polling stations did not open on time (the official 8Am GMT), turnout was encouraging and the atmosphere was generally peaceful in the Special Senatorial elections as well By-election in Sinoe County and the National Referendum.
For example at some polling centers visited in River Gee County by this Reporter, it was observed that polling started late.
At both Gee Foundation and Demonstration elementary and junior high schools polling precincts in Fish Town, the COVID 19 health protocols are not observed. No social distancing, majority of the voters were not wearing nose masks. In some cases, some voters’ names did not correspond with those on their ID cards, something that sparked confusion between NEC poll workers and voters.
Some polling staff said voting in some places in Fish Town started very late due to the late arrival of polling materials.
In Joquiken District #2, RiverGee County some voters complained that there identification numbers were there, but there were no photos and their names were correct.
In Parwarken District #2, there were absolutely no security officers assigned there, but citizens went on with their voting peacefully.
In River Gee capital, Fish Town itself, there were low numbers of police officers assigned to voting precincts.