The Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia has condemned all those involved in electoral violence, be it individuals or parties, and emphasized that until the National Elections Commission (NEC) conducts its task independently by investigating and holding violators of electoral/campaign violence accountable on the basis of its electoral guidelines and the Farmington River Declaration, there will be more electoral and campaign violence.
In a release issued August 13, 2023, signed by its Secretary General, Adama K. Dempster, the rights advocacy platform said, “The worst is yet to come…There has to be punishment or penalty for those in violation.”
According to the release, while the human rights community is monitoring and documenting the various account of the elections, respect for electoral guidelines and the Farmington River Declaration, signed by all sides, is fundamental.
“Human rights in election applies to all sides. No one party or candidate has more rights than the other. When people or institutions sign and agree to a policy or protocol/guidelines and they are found violating those very agreements, they should be punished regardless whether they are of the ruling party, opposition or are independent candidates.
“The human rights community, civil society, religious community, citizens, the Liberian people, regional and the international community seek peaceful elections. We condemn all those involved in electoral violence, be it individuals or parties,” the release added.