What makes elections of 1985; 1997; 2005 and 2011 different from the 2014 special senatorial election? Folks, you need not to concur with my analysis but nonetheless lets critically make objective comparison and see whether issues to be discussed are helping to strengthen our democracy which many considered it to be in state fragility. October 1985....presidential and general elections were held. It took over two weeks to announce results. In fact, all ballot boxes were transported to the Unity Conference Center for counting by selected individuals who were locked up for over two weeks. The results were announced and Head of State Samuel K. Doe was declared winner with little over 50%. Political tension began fomenting which later exacerbated the country being plunged into prolonged years of civil conflict because people were dissatisfied. Then came 1997 under the auspices of Ecowas, presidential and proportional legislative elections were held and Mr. Taylor of the NPFL won overwhelmingly. Yet, people were still hurt and bitter and the much anticipated peace Liberians hoped for did not come. There came again another round of war and we all suffered again. Taylor left for exile and another elections were set for October 2005. All candidates freely campaigned throughout the length and breadth of the country without intimidation, harassment or molestation. Madam Sirleaf-Johnson emerged winner after the second round. By then, technology was advancing in terms of mobile phone communication where accredited polls watchers or party representatives after signing tally sheets would call and give update to candidates and others as recorded on the official NEC tally sheet. The same happened in October 2011 and now with 2014 special senatorial election in which communication system has greatly improved, it makes it quite easy to obtain authentic results from each polling center after counting has been done in the presence of all party representatives who by then have affixed their signatures on each sheet that was tallied. If this was done at all voting centers in those counties that have given 100% report and the NEC has announced these results, what is then wrong with losing contestants, law makers, other public officials and supporters of the winner congratulating him/her? Folks, the emergence of advanced modern technology plays a pivotal role in every sphere of our existence be it politics, economics or social. In short, I differ with those who contend that unless the NEC announces the winner in those counties that the very NEC has released 100% of their centers, no one needs to celebrate, than there was no need to have party poll representatives posted to these places to record voted count and send figures over by text or email to their various candidates. Thank you most kindly for giving little of your time to read and digest these few lines which absolutely represent my personal opinion. Merry Christmas and happy and prosperous New year!
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 10:07:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015