ALSI President Says Electoral Violence Is A Threat To Democracy
PHOTO: ALSI President Kaipee Luther Newray speaking during the occasion
Ahead of the impending October 2023 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia, the President of the Association of Liberian Students in India-Dehradun has stressed the importance of promoting peaceful elections in the country.
Kaipee Luther Newray said violent-free, impartial, transparent, inclusive, and reliable elections are important to democracy, noting it is the responsibility of the government to always ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
He made the statement on July 26, 2023, during the 176th Independence Day ceremony of Liberia, organized by Liberian Students in India, at Afrikiko in Clement Town, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
“A transparent election will allow citizens to exercise their right to choose their political leaders and hold them accountable.
Free, fair and credible elections mean the protection of human rights as well as the cornerstone of democracy” he says.
He noted that peaceful election enhances public trust in the electoral process around the world.
The ALSI-Dehradun President also admonished Liberians to say no to any form of electoral violence because it is not good.
“It undermined civil and political rights which lead to human suffering, and contributes to low voter turnout due to fear and political division amongst citizens in any country.
Electoral violence is a threat to democracy that undermines the legitimacy of the electoral process.
It is essential for all of us to work together to prevent electoral violence and promote peaceful and democratic elections” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Association of Liberian Students in India-Dehradun applauds the Global Arcus for sponsoring its 176th Independence program.
Global Arcus is largest academic consulting agency of India. Foreign students coming India to study gets scholarship through Global Arcus.
Mr. Newray concluded his presidential address with a famous quote by Abraham Lincoln which states that, “the ballot is stronger than the bullet”.