By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
BONG COUNTY, Liberia- Concerns have been raised for Liberian youths to be decisive and issue-based ahead of the October 10, 2023 presidential and legislative elections, which is just eight days away.
Bong County Youth and Sports Coordinator Jutomue Darkai Mulbah stressed that young people should always address the issues and not being provocative.
He openly warned them against castigating politicians based on selfish personal interests.
Like Jutomue, Abraham B. Mulbah- Federation of Liberian Youths (FLY) Bong County coordinator stressed that issues based campaign activities promote good democracy as well as create a conducive atmosphere for all electoral activities.
“You can’t have a credible electoral process when both the actors and messengers aren’t telling the people why they want to serve. Attacking others will make the process noisy and may even trigger violence that will destabilize the entire electoral process. Let’s avoid these things as young people” Jutomue and Abraham added.
2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Madam Leymah Gbowee has also urged potential first-time voters including the public not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause chaos and disrupt the country’s peace.
“Do not allow yourselves to be used by any political groupings. Peace is for your future, peace is not just an individual’s thing” she said Monday, 7th August 2023 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Oldest Congo Town.
Just a part from Leymah and others, the topic has also caught the attention of a clergyman here in Bong County.
Reverend Peter Flomo Kaykpah, superintendent of the Gbarnga District Conference of the United Methodist church said Liberians should avoid violence and be peaceful before and after the October 10 general elections.
Kaykpah wants Liberians sell their candidates and their visions instead of personal attacks, stressing that “it’s sad that Liberians will be going at loggerhead for a process that is democratic”.
“Insults and bad words are now becoming a normal of our politics which is bad” Reverend Kaykpah said.
Count 2 [under campaign management] of the Farmington River Declaration 2023 states “Desist from campaigns that involve human rights abuses, hate speeches, and all forms of violence, class denigration, vilification of social origins and background, ethnic victimization, or religious incitement, both by parties or agents acting our names. Instead, run issue-based campaigns.”
The Farmington River Declaration (FRD) 2023, signed at the Farmington River Hotel on April 4, 2023 is a legal commitment to peaceful election and judicial resolution of election disputes in Liberia.
During the start of the 2023 campaign on Satrday, August 5, 2023 here in Liberia, scores of berets wearing young people believed to be members of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change toted a casket bearing the images of former Liberian Vice President, Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
The action was also condemned by executives of the CDC, Unity Party, the Liberian People’s Party and other institutions including ECOWAS and the Election Coordinating Committee (ECC)- a Civil Society Network promoting electoral Integrity ad Democratic Governance in Liberia.
This has caused stir across the country with many calling for “a more civil engagement to propagate their messges to Liberians”.
Credible elections, according to the groups, are not assessed by the number of votes acquired by a political party or independent candidate, but by adhering to the laws and regulations guiding the electoral process as well as the fundamental values and principles of democracy.
Count 3 [under campaign management] of the FRD 2023 also adds “avoid using language at campaigns that is inflammatory, or defamatory. Refrain from usinf language that threatens or incites violence in any form against any other political party, coalition/collaboration, alliance, person or group of persons”.
Leading CSO Naymote Partners for Democratic Development earnestly calls on all Liberian youth, particularly those affiliated with political parties’ youth leagues and auxiliaries to actively engage in issue-based political debates/activities, including campaigns, while fostering a culture of political tolerance.
Recognizing the profound influence that the young people of Liberia wield, Naymote emphasizes the pivotal role they can play in shaping the outcome of these elections.
With their numerical strength, Liberian youth have the collective power to determine the course of leadership in their country.
There are over 2.4 million registered voters in Liberia, NEC data reveals.
“This number represents One Million Two Hundred Thirty-seven Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-seven (1,237,257) Females and One Million Two Hundred Thirty-four Thousand Three Hundred Sixty (1,234,360) Males,” NEC’Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lassana said.
As the 2022 National Populationa and Housing census indicates, youth make up 79 per cent of the population- UNFPA- a major partner to the 2022 National Population and Housing Census with LISGIS said on its website on August 1, 2023 in celebration of the 20 years enduring peace in Liberia.
According to the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) 2022 National Population and Housing census, there are over 5.2 million people in Liberia.
James Dolo, youth president of Jorquelleh, electoral district#3 says “When you are canvassing, don’t pick at others or throw jibes because there will be a counter reaction which would undermine the peace. I am advising my friends to be careful when selling their candidates to not attack others”.
Cecelia Fallah, a young female in Gbarnga feels “if a peaceful message isn’t preached during elections, it leads to choatic scenes that will undermine the country’s peace. Young people including politicians have to be careful if we must enjoy and sustain the peace”.