PHOTO: Justice Jamesetta Wolokolie
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
One of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia has called on Liberians to begin reviewing the electoral laws and regulations before the October 10 presidential and legislative, in order to challenge those ones that are inapplicable in the country now.
Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard-Wolokolie spoke of the need for politicians hire the services of lawyers to review the electoral laws and regulations, because some of the laws may not be applicable considering the many challenges from roads to disregard of the implementation of the some provisions of the Liberian constitution.
Justice Wolokollie made the call recently, when she spoke on “Justice and Rule of Law- A Component To Free and Fair Elections,” at the launch of the Bishop Arthur F Kulah Lecture Series by the Liberia Council of Churches in Monrovia.
Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves, LCC’s President
According to her, existing regulations and guidelines set by NEC on August 22, 2016 relating to pre and post electoral processes in certain instances may be inapplicable considering the period in which elections are held in Liberia.
Justice Wolokollie maintained that the design of an appropriate justice system is fundamental to democratic legitimacy and the credibility of electoral processes and electoral justice system must be seen to act effectively displaying independence and impartiality to promote justice, transparency, accessibility, inclusiveness, and equality.
“Because any perception that the system is not sound and robust may jeopardize its credibility and cause the electors to question their participation in the electoral process or even reject its final results,” she said ; adding : “ the electoral laws and NEC regulations and guidelines must provide the framework for the conduct for free, fair and inclusive elections.”
A cross session of delegates and distinguished personalities at the LCC general assembly.
“Most times,” she went on, conflicts exist because some political parties and independent candidates do not retain lawyers to guide them through the electoral process but only hire their services when a challenge is post and some of the lawyers are not abreast of NEC’s regulations and guidelines .”
“Lawyers representing a political party or an independent abreast with the elections laws relating to the electoral process, and they must not incite their clients by prevailing on them that ruling against them are wrong when the fault is due to their misinterpretation of the electoral laws and NEC ‘s regulations.”
Delivering his annual message, the President of Liberia Council of Churches, Reverend Doctor Samuel Reeves, said the LCC will continue to preach for peace, democracy and the rule of law in the country.
According to President of the Liberia Council of Churches, the current leadership and its members will remain politically neutral, independent and stand for the respect for human rights
Reverend Reeves: “You are encouraged not to be moved and vote only on the basis of tribalism and sectionalism but to vote in the general best interest of all Liberians.”
“Pastors you are encouraged to lead your congregations to vote and to vote their consciences under the inspiration and influence of only the Holy Spirit.”
The LCC President made it clear that the council members will maintain their declaration of political neutrality and objectivity as rooted in Godly integrity.
Therefore, he went on, no member of this administration shall be a spokesperson, affiliate, or card member of or partisan of a political party.
According to him, the Liberia Council of Churches will partner with the Liberian government but will take no money from the government for national church related programs, such as Fast and Pray Days, July 26 celebration among other activities
“We commit, not to be the enemy to or the friend of, but to be true partners with the GOL on national concerns, providing work, spiritual guidance, and wisdom. We commit to being pro-active and not only re-active”.
“We commit to the promotion of freedom of religion, food security, better health, education, and peace and justice as well as the promotion of gender equality”
“We commit ourselves to a world free of war; we support integrity and sovereignty of nations, and stand against aggression, nation against nation.”
“We commit to collaborating our efforts in leveraging our combined resources (schools, hospitals, and scalable rice project), to better educate us, heal us, and feed us, and to create more wealth and wellbeing in this great nation.”
During the program, Bishop-emeritus of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Reverend Dr. Arthur F Kulah, Olubanke King Akerele, Former Foreign Minister; Elder Eddie Deputie were honored and presented certificates by Justice Minister, Frank Musa Dean, as Award Celebrant in the LCC Hall of Fame
The ceremony marking the opening of the general assembly of LCC was graced by over 150 delegates, present and former officials of government, and partners of the council.
Meanwhile, the 34th conference of the Liberia Council of Churches, which under the theme: “ National Peace and Justice- An Imperative for Sustainable Growth and Development,” ends on Friday with delegates adopting a number of resolutions.