Joint Security Launches Anti-Electoral Violence Campaign in Grand Kru Ahead of 2023 Elections

BARCLAYVILLE, Grand Kru – In anticipation of the forthcoming Presidential and Legislative Elections scheduled for October 10, 2023, security authorities in Grand Kru County took a proactive step on Monday by initiating a campaign aimed at fostering violence-free elections within various communities in Barclayville.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Joint Security forces operating in Grand Kru County, includes officers from the Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), as well as the Liberia Fire Service.

Commander Dowuo Goldoe, leading the Police detachment in Grand Kru County, conveyed that the campaign’s primary objective is to fortify the Joint Security’s operational strategy, ensuring a peaceful electoral process.

Commander Goldoe emphasized the commitment of the Liberia National Police, Grand Kru Detachment, to safeguarding peace and fostering a conducive environment for the upcoming elections. She further revealed plans to extend awareness efforts to major cities, towns, and villages throughout the county, thereby guaranteeing a violence-free electoral atmosphere.

Additionally, officers from the Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia National Fire Service, and the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency, alongside motorcyclists, appealed to political parties, their candidates, and their supporters to refrain from engaging in public confrontations. They highlighted the risks of such actions, which could escalate into violence and jeopardize Liberia’s hard-earned peace.

It has been two decades since Liberia emerged from the shadows of brutal conflicts. The approaching elections mark the fourth consecutive presidential poll since the cessation of hostilities. The significance of these elections lies in the fact that they will be the first polls conducted entirely by Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) and safeguarded solely by the LNP, following the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

The international community, including regional bloc ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, maintains a keen interest in the electoral process. High-ranking officials from these organizations have been engaging with key election stakeholders in Liberia, including the NEC, Liberian Government representatives, including President George Weah, political parties, and civil society organizations. In April of this year, political parties and independent candidates, under the auspices of ECOWAS, the UN, and the NEC, reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful electoral process by signing the Farmington Declaration.

By Gabrielyn M. Joboem, Correspondent, Grand Kru County