Ahead of the up-coming presidential run-off election in Liberia, the Women’s Situation Room (WSR) of the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security, through its ”Talking Bus” program, has conducted massive civic and voter education in rural Liberia; Cynthia Quinisier reports.
The “Talking Bus” is one of the tools of the Women’s Situation Room (WSR) mechanism which is implemented by the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security.
The “Talking Bus” is a physical bus used by the WSR in communities with a PA system, microphone and a mandate to give residents the platform and opportunity to identify and discuss issues affecting their wellbeing.
The WSR observed that the lack of enough civic and voter education (CVE) led to the staggering 114,639 invalid votes, which represented 5.88% of the total votes cast in the just-ended October 10, 2023 presidential and legislative elections.
It may be recalled that on Thursday, 26 October 2023 WSR presented its election observation findings, expressing deep concern over the huge number of invalid votes across the country.
Presenting the findings, WSR Initiator and Establishment Coordinator of the Angie Brooks International Centre, Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh, described CVE as paramount to democracy and national decision-making.
At the same time, NEC has informed Liberians that first-time voters constituted a little over 20 percent of registered voters–a figure which pointed to the priority of civic and voter education.
Against the backdrop, in the commercial city of Gompa, Nimba County, on Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Women’s Situation Room held a vigorous civic and voter education exercise with residents. A similar exercise was carried out in Grand Bassa and Montserrado counties on November 3 and November 7. The WSR is expected to conclude its CVE exercise in Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount counties in the coming days.
Prior to the “Talking Bus” engagement, the WSR held a day-long stakeholders engagement meeting with local authorities and citizens on issues of concern and the way forward to maintain the peace.
At the start of the discussion, Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh reminded stakeholders that the Women’s Situation Room is non-political. She said the only political party is the Republic of Liberia, and it is the duty of every citizen to ensure that Liberia is peaceful.
In brief remarks, the European Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, underscored the need for Liberians to discourage hate speech, which she indicated will contribute to the peace of Liberia, even when the election has been conducted and the winner announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
At the same time, stakeholders during the discussion assured that the presidential run-off election, scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2023, will be peaceful.
The engagement included officials of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Liberia National Police (LNP) Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA, Elder Council, women, youth, religious leaders, as well as representatives of the political parties in the run-off election. Also in attendance were European Union Observer Delegation and European Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez.
The Civil and Voter Education and Community Engagement of the WSR aimed at promoting a peaceful electoral environment and community security in Liberia. At the same time, it seeks to provide information and education to residents about how to cast their vote, and at the same time adhere to security measures during the period of voting.
The initiative is funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), European Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and implemented by the Angie Brooks International Center for Women’s Empowerment Leadership Development International Peace and Security.