National Election Commission Certificates Two Additional Political Parties
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has certificated additional two new political parties adding to the already overcrowded political scene in the country.
The Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL), and the Democratic National Allegiance (DNA) are the two new political parties.
The accreditation of EFFL and DNA bring to 25 the number of political parties in Liberia.
Political parties in Liberia include: » All Liberia Coalition Party (ALCOP), All Liberian Party (ALP), Alternative National Congress (ANC), Change Democratic Actopm (CDA), Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC/NPP/LPDP), Coalition for Liberia’s Progress (CLP), Vision for Liberia Transformation (VOLT) and » Grassroot Democratic Party of Liberia (GDPL).
Others are Liberia Transformation Party (LTP), Liberian National Union (LINU), Liberty Party(LP), Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), » Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), » Movement for One Liberia (MOL) and Movement for Progressive Change (MPC).
The rest are: the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), New Liberia Party (NLP), People’s Unification Party (PUP), True Whig Party (TWP), Union of Liberian Democrats (ULD), United People’s Party (UPP), Unity Party (UP), Victory for Change (VCP)
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, NEC Chairperson Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansanah challenge political parties to respect and follow the national elections guidelines and regulations.
“Election is everybody’s business. It’s therefore binding on all Liberians to ensure a peaceful election at all times,” madam Lananah said.
“All Liberians must commit themselves to the rule of law … as the [surest] way to sustaining our peace, and democracy in Liberia,” she added.
Madam Brown-Lansanah challenged the newly certificated parties to use the elections law and the Constitution of Liberia as the basis for operation in the country.
She noted that the NEC Board of Commissioners’ decision to certify the EFFL and the DNA is based on requests made a few months ago by both parties to the NEC.
“The commissioners wish to congratulate the EFFL and DNA. Following an in-depth process, the commissioners have no authority when a group of Liberians meets the minimum requirements for the establishment of a political party, but to follow the law and register those groups of Liberians,” she noted.
“This is to certify that the EFFL and the DNA have completed all the requirements for registration as political parties as provided for in Article 79 of the Constitution of Liberia and the NEC guidelines and regulations relating to the formation and registration of political parties to operate in Liberia,” said Madam Brown-Lansanah.
Speaking, the EFFL leader Emmanuel Gonquoi promised to make use of the elections law of Liberia and the constitution.
He noted that the militancy they deployed was intended to force the change in the society they needed and to allow people who are not democratically disciplined and obedient.
“We are honored and glad to be certificated today by the NEC as a political party. As the commissioner had indicated, we will do all in our power as a political institution to abide by the rules and regulations governing political parties in Liberia and respect the Constitution of our country,” he said.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the party, Ishmael Keita, lauded NEC for being swift in ensuring their party gained legitimacy as a recognized and law-abiding political institution in Liberia.
“Over the years within the political landscape of Liberia there hasn’t been much change that will transform the well-being of the Liberian Masses and it’s how time for Liberians to rally with the Democratic National Allegiance which has come to change the narrative of the political system,” Keita said.
Keita said the DNA headed by Mr. William Weah Tuider has come to change the narrative of politics in Liberia and bring hope to the struggling mass of the Liberian people through adequate education, a good health system, and proper well-being for all.
