Magistrate Promises To Shame Them, Including Lawmakers
PHOTO: NEC Magistrate, Daniel G. Newland
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Upper Bong County Senior Elections Magistrate, Mr. Daniel G. Newland has frowned at politicians’ direct involvement in the ongoing Biometric Voters’ registration (BVR) processes in Bong County.
According to Mr. Newland, these politicians are over-stepping their bonds.
“I don’t see why lawmakers will always want to be involved… Which kind of lawmaker are they when they are breaking the law? I am very disappointed.”
“I am getting calls every day from politicians how the process is.. this and that… Look, these people don’t really have interest in this registration process more than us [NEC]. They don’t have the powers to conduct elections. We have it, not them. Why will they keep disturbing the process?” he wondered.
The National Elections Commission (NEC), established in February 2004, is an autonomous public commission that is responsible to conduct elections for all elective public offices and to administer and enforce all elections laws throughout the Republic of Liberia.
The Upper Bong Senior Elections Magistrate then disclosed that, “every minute, they are sending me text messages with all sorts of things. I am maintaining this, I will be very tough on them henceforth. What do they want to achieve.”
He promised to make these messages public if the politicians don’t refrain.
“I will respond to anyone in whatever manner. Let people not politicize this registration process. We are not politicians.”
The Upper Bong Senior Elections Magistrate described the action as undermining and wants them to desist.
Mr. Daniel G. Newland has furher promised to name and shame them on additional occurrences.
“If they don’t stop, I will be forwarding a formal complaint to my boss [NEC chairperson, Davidetta Browne-Lassanah. You can’t be a referee and a player at the same time.”
There is no portion of the New Elections law of Liberia that supports politicians’ direct involvement in the registration process.
Notably, section 10, under Election Offences of the new elections law of 2014, states “the following acts shall constitute malfeasance, punishable under this chapter; a. influencing or attempting to influence the result of any election to include the trucking of voters”.
Malfeasance is an intentional conduct that is wrong or unlawful, especially by officials or public employees.
The new elections law of 1986 also insructs violators to pay one thousand United States dollars fine or an imprisonment for not more than six (6) months or both.
Citizens’ reactions
This assertion has caused stir in the county days after many residents of Bong County like other counties pointed accusing fingers at politicians for trucking voters in the county to register and form part of the October 10, 2023 elections.
Joe Kolleh King, a resident of Gbondoi in electoral district#6 says “My brother, I can’t understand why these people are obstructing the functions of the NEC. If it’s left with me, I was going to deny them from contesting because they aren’t acting in conformity with the law. Allow NEC to function”
Annie Togbah, a resident of Kokoyah road in electoral district#2 in Bong county stressed that “This whole thing is very frustratng because they [politicians] don’t want to give NEC the chance to exercise their constitutional mandate”.
Mr. Philip Lepolu Mulbah, an educator in Bong wants those involved to desist as it undermines the country’s electoral processes.
Many also feel if these “hurdles” aren’t settled ahead of the elections, it will impact the outcome of the elections.
“These people are looking for the slightest opportunity to override the elections commission so they can manipulate the process. If NEC doesn’t stand strong, it means they will overpower the commission- something that would influence the results.”