The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) says it is gratified by the strategic collaboration between it and the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the peaceful conduct of the October 10, 2023 general and presidential elections, for which a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on July 11, 2023. The bar averred that the MOU signed between the LNBA and NEC has set the basis for the LNBA’s strategic support to the NEC to ensure that credible and transparent elections are conducted with the mass participation of Liberians, consistent with law.
A press release issued by the LNBA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 says, “Under the MOU, the LNBA will provide legal support to the NEC by sensitizing the public through the holding of public conversation on election laws and rulings of both the NEC and the Supreme Court on past election cases, as well as advocating for the adherence of the rule of law by all actors during the electoral process.
According to the LNBA release, “under the arrangement, the LNBA shall provide support to enhance the legal capacity of NEC to be effective in the adjudication of electoral disputes and increase public knowledge on electoral dispute resolution mechanisms, especially working with all stakeholders. The LNBA shall sensitize the public on the calendar of events covering the entire process. The bar will provide training support to electoral staff to include election magistrates, hearing officers, political parties’ representatives, independent candidates, media organizations and others on the disposition of all electoral disputes.
“Under the MOU, which is for a period of one year, the bar shall organize engagement meetings with relevant international partners to seek their support and collaboration to address issues around electoral violence as well as organize meetings with CSOs, religious leaders and joint security about the potential risks associated with early warning signs of conflict. The LNBA shall provide training support to civil society organizations (CSOs), the security sector, media organizations, etc., on the effective, efficient and timely disposition of electoral complaints and also enhance the knowledge of LNBA members on the differences between courtroom litigation and electoral dispute resolution, i.e. litigation versus administrative hearings. The LNBA has agreed wholly to formulate long-term capacity development and training plan for its members and the NEC, with support to come from the UNDP and partners.”
The LNBA, in the release, said, to implement the short-term interventions under the MOU, the UNDP Electoral Support Program, with support from the Swedish, Irish and the European Union (EU), is to provide US$150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand United States dollars), and that the activities will be implemented within six months.
“Under the MOU, NEC, in collaboration with the bar, will organize stakeholder conferences to do stock-taking amongst the LNBA, NEC and the Supreme Court and Peace Building Office on all critical electoral interventions. NEC will recruit hearing officers and clerks and prepare them for training and set up a case management system for optimum efficiency. NEC shall provide strategic information and education plan on electoral dispute resolution targeting political parties and other stakeholders to be rolled out for the smooth conduct of the electoral activities. Under the MOU, NEC and the LNBA shall hold experience-sharing sessions on ethical aspects of the EDR to withstand political pressure on the NEC senior leadership.
“The NEC will from time to time consult with the LNBA and raise any concerns regarding presentations made by any assigned lawyers on any related electoral matter. Two parties under the MOU have agreed that any lawyer performing legal services shall do so in keeping with the highest professional standard,” the release observed.
In a related development, the leadership of the LNBA has commended the Chairperson of the NEC, Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, the NEC Board of Commissioners (BOC), the UNDP Electoral Support Program, the Swedish and Irish governments and the EU for their support to actualize a mechanism that will enhance Liberia’s democratic credential. The bar said, to satisfy one of the principles of any vibrant rule of law system, it would encourage all eligible voters to freely participate in the October 10, 2023 elections to decide their leaders, which is consistent with law.
