“Stop Using Us for Electoral Violence” Young Liberians Challenge Political Manipulation.

Monrovia, Liberia:Concerns over growing electoral violence in Liberia are mounting as several young citizens used the climax of the ActionAid Liberia “Ahead Project” mobile learning exercise to condemn political hostility and call for greater protection of the country’s democracy.

Many participants described electoral violence as a dangerous trend increasingly embraced by some youths as a show of political loyalty and supremacy, while others strongly rejected the practice and urged young Liberians to focus on peace and national development.

One Liberian, speaking during a free bus ride from Benson Street to Duala organized as part of the awareness campaign, said young people must begin thinking beyond political manipulation and prioritize the future of Liberia’s democracy.

“This is a modern era that lets us stop the act of being used by politicians and engage in meaningful activities that will protect our country’s democracy,” he said.

The young man further noted that many politicians who allegedly encourage violence often distance themselves from the consequences suffered by ordinary youths after clashes and unrest.

“When these people encourage you to carry out violence they can’t be in sympathy with you when you’re bearing the consequences of it,” he added.

A female participant identified as Ascida also raised concerns about the neutrality of workers of the National Elections Commission, stressing that election workers should avoid political alignment in order to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.

“NEC workers should avoid close friendship with any political party and they should be people who are not living in that surrounding,” she stated.

Another participant, Alice Swen, recommended that election workers be recruited from outside the communities where they are assigned in order to improve transparency and reduce allegations of bias during elections.

“Liberians should start using people who are not living in certain communities to work for NEC during election because I noticed during the past elections that those from the community who are part of a certain party were working with NEC and as soon as you go to vote they will start looking at you differently,” she explained.

The comments formed part of broader discussions during the ActionAid Liberia awareness initiative, which focused on democracy, youth participation, accountability, and peaceful electoral engagement ahead of future national elections in Liberia.