PHOTO: (L-R) ANC leader Alex Cummings and US Amb. Michael McCarthy on different wavelength over NEC
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
Liberia’s opposition CPP leader Alexander Cummings has strongly questioned the independence and integrity of the National Elections Commission (NEC), in sharp contrast to recent position of the United States Embassy in Monrovia on NEC’s track record.
This West African state is schedule to hold presidential and legislative elections in less than 12 months’ time, with incumbent President George Manneh Weah and his ruling CDC party expected to make a second term bid.
Cummings, who is political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), this week strongly warned the Liberian government against manipulating the process leading to the conduct of the presidential and legislative elections in 2023.
ANC political leader, Alexander Cummings, who is also the standard bearer of the new Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), said the Weah government should immediately desist from acts aimed at manipulating the electoral process and behave responsibly.
He wants the government to provide the necessary resources and stop all forms interfering in the operations of the National Elections Commission.
Mr. Cummings gave the warning during a major press conference held at his office in Congo Town shortly after a tour from the United States and Canada.
But 9pposition leader Cummings’ claims sharply contradicts the assessment by the US Embassy regarding the level of independence the NEC has demonstrated so far in holding successive elections.
Many days ago, US Ambassador Michael McCarthy reminded Liberians that,”The upcoming 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections is significant to the peace, security and democracy of the Country.”
Mr. McCarthy however said in an interview with state radio, ELBC:” The US Government, as a champion of democracy and good governance, will not also sit idly and allow politicians bully the National Elections Commission (NEC). NEC will continue to enjoy the confidence of donor partners as an integrity institution.”
According to the ANC loeader, after five years, President Weah and his administration have no idea how to fix the problems they have made worse.
“Now, as we prepare to end their failed leadership in 2023, they are conniving to create problems in the elections and undermine our hard-won democracy. We strongly warn them to desist and conduct themselves more responsibly,” Cummings, the former head of Coca Cola Africa said.
“The last and important duty of any democratic government is to provide for the free and fair conduct of democratic elections so the people get to decide who will lead them, and the transfer of power is smooth and peaceful/”
Mr. Cummings further said, “Repeatedly, the Weah Administration has acted not to obey the constitutional demand for the timely conduct of elections. We will not permit it this time – enough is enough! Let there be no mistake, the presidential and general elections, as well as all of its attending processes and procedures, must be adhered to as provided for in the Liberian Constitution.”
As opposition, he claimed it is their “duty to hold the Weah administration to its sworn responsibility, and not allow a compromise of the character and integrity of our democracy and elections.”
Cummings also proposes rice emergency strategy
Meanwhile, the new CPP Standard Bearer is also proposing a comprehensive strategy purposely to improve the emergency provision of rice on the Liberian market.
The ANC political leader also suggested that the government should pursue an accelerated and sustained program for the production of rice domestically.
According to him, the program will entail intensive training of Liberians at universities in rice producing states, provision of experts, investment and financing for equipment and machinery.
“The program must be private sector driven to succeed while government provides assistance and extension services,” he said; adding: “our government only needs to demonstrate seriousness in engaging these institutions to achieve its goals and cannot continue to play with the lives of our people by fooling them about fake shipments of rice.”
Mr. Cummings has pointed out that the legislature must assert its oversight to ensure that millions of dollars allocated for rice subsidy are properly accounted for.
“What we lack is determined, competent, serious and responsible leadership that will make the right decisions and investments in the productive sectors rather than spend most of the national budget on enriching and caring for five politicians – the President, the Vice President, the Speaker, the Pro-Temp and the Deputy Speaker, while the nation starves, hospitals are without beds and medicines and schools are struggling.”