LNBA’s Capacity Support To NEC And Stakeholders Gains Momentum; As Project Activities Move To Grand Bassa
The Liberian National Bar Association’s capacity support to the National Elections Commission (NEC) and its stakeholders has received nationwide commendation and gained rousing momentum from the general public and stakeholders involved, with the Bar extending its activities to Grand Bassa County on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.
The LNBA has been rolling out activities under the LNBA/NEC Collaboration Project, intended to build the capacities of the National Elections Commission (NEC), civil society organizations, security sector actors, religious community and the media, with funding from the UNDP Electoral Support Program.
The implementation of the project began on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 in Montserrado County, with the holding of a public dialogue on electoral dispute resolution, with emphasis on the distinction between courtroom litigation and administrative hearings conducted at NEC, and public awareness on the election timetable and pre-election activities. The project was extended to Tubmanburg, Bomi County, on Friday, September 22, 2023, and the event was attended by over 100 participants drawn from Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount and Bomi counties, representing various sectors of the Liberian society, including members of the Bar, CSOs, security sector and the media.
The unprecedented project, according to a LNBA release, is geared toward ensuring the peaceful conduct of a free, fair, transparent, credible and democratic election.
In Grand Bassa, the LNBA is expected to conduct a public dialogue, training and awareness event with participants drawn from Margibi, Rivercess and Grand Bassa counties. Presenters at the event will include former Associate Justice, Philip A.Z. Banks, III; former Minister of Justice, Cllr. Benedict F. Sannoh, and former National President of the LNBA, Cllr. G. Moses Paegar. The three will present on different aspects of “Electoral Dispute Resolution, with Emphasis on Courtroom Litigation and Administrative Hearings conducted at NEC”.
The release says, “The training session will be moderated by Cllr. Frederick L.M. Gbemie, a member of the National Executive Council of the Bar.”
The LNBA says it remains grateful to the Irish and Swedish governments and the European Union (EU) for providing support to enable the LNBA to achieve such unparalleled initiative.