The Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Cllr. Davidetta Browne Lansanah, has declared the campaign for the four representative by-elections open.
Making the declaration on Friday, October 15, 2021, Cllr. Lansanah disclosed that the campaign period for the by-elections begins October 15, 2021 and ends November 14, 2021.
In her official statement, the NEC Chairperson said, “I am pleased, on behalf of the National Elections Commission, to welcome you to this program marking the opening of the 2021 Political Campaign Period for the Representative By-Elections in Electoral District #2, Bong County, Electoral District #1, Bomi County, Electoral District #1, Grand Gedeh County, and Electoral District #1 Nimba County, slated for 16 November 2021.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, as you may recall, the Candidate Nomination Exercise for the 2021 Representative By-Elections for Bong, Bomi, Grand Gedeh, and Nimba, which commenced on 13 September 2021 and ended on 24 September 2021.
A total of 33 aspirants’ names were published in the local dailies and on NEC’s official Website on 27 September 2021for the purpose of vetting the provisional list of aspirants from 13 September to 29 September 2021.
“Accordingly, a total of 33 Candidates have been qualified by NEC to contest in the by-elections in Bong, Bomi, Grand Gedeh, and Nimba Counties. The Candidates are:
“Ladies and gentleman of the press, today also marks the publication of the Final List of Candidates to contest in Representative By-elections in the four counties named. Let me remind you that, the launch of the Political Campaign Period today and the publication of the Final List of Candidates are all in line with our key dates released for the conduct of the 16 November 2021 Representative By-elections.
“Now therefore, for and on behalf of the National Elections Commission and in my own name as Chairperson of this Commission I do hereby declare that the political campaign period is officially open for the Tuesday, 16 November 2021Representative By-elections in Bong, Bomi, Grand Gedeh, and Nimba Counties.
“In so doing, the political campaign runs from today, Friday, 15October 2021 to 14 November 2021.
“I wish to call on all candidates and their supporters to go about their campaign activities in a peaceful manner. Please avoid rancor and bitter exchanges. Show respect for each other as you go about your campaign activities in line with the code of conduct concerning campaign activities.
“Please note that the NEC takes seriously the submission of campaign schedules by all Political Parties, Alliances or Coalitions and Independent Candidates as per the campaign requirements issued to all aspirants during the Candidates Nomination Period. The Commission will give full priority on a first come, first served basis to all Political Parties and Independent Candidates prioritizing the submission of their Campaign schedules. Absolutely, no two parties or candidates will be allowed to launch their campaigns or close their campaigns in the same areas.
“Additionally, the NEC calls on all candidates and their supporters to observe all public health regulations instituted by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health.”