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Liberia: Cllr. Brumskine seeks for the overhauling of NEC and election laws
Apr 15, 2008
by Michael Kpayili / Staff Writer

Cllr.
The former Standard Bearer and Political leader of the opposition Liberty Party says it is the first time in the history of the civilized world for an Election Commission, instead of the Government to charge an opposition political party with subversive activities. Cllr. Charles Brumskine said either the Commissioners at the National Elections Commission lack the requisite competence to preside over a truly independent elections commission or are determined to either frighten opposition parties off the political scene or make Liberia a one party State.

Speaking to cross-section of Reporters at his Liberty Party headquarters on Benson Street under the caption: “The State of the Nation from a political opposition’s perspective”, Cllr. Brumskine outlined several points including the enactment of a whole new body of elections laws, which would include the establishment of an election court. He said the communication received from the National Election Commission charging the Liberty Party with subversive activities was meant to abolish Liberia’s democratic society and endanger the existence of the Republic, as outlined in Article 80(a) and (b) of the constitution.

“The Election Commission was the accuser, jury and the judge of the proceedings. Only by the Grace of God, were we acquitted of subversive activities, and found guilty of lesser charges. Whatever the case, the Election Commission as constituted today, signals the 2011 Presidential and general elections as occurrences of dire potent”, Cllr. Brumskine maintained.

Commenting on the management of the economy, Cllr. Brumskine said there would be no poverty reduction if non-Liberians were granted permission by our government to perform jobs that Liberians so badly need. He said that as the result of low investment in its people, the US’ Millennium Challenge Corporation gives usually low marks to Liberia’s efforts in the past two years, under it category-“investing in people”. “Only when the State invests in its people can poverty alleviation become a realistic goal” Cllr. Brumskine said.

He stressed that in order to make rice affordable to ordinary Liberians; the Liberty Party will be requesting members of the Legislature to pass a bill repealing all taxation, direct or indirect on rice. He however urges the President to support that bill and sign it into law, for the love of country and the people.

“By the President own estimation, a bag of rice overpriced. Therefore, in addition to US.00 tax that the President promised to waive, the price of a bag of rice can be further reduced by another US.61. A reduction of US.61 from a bag of rice would go a long way in helping the people. The Government economic recovery program should include major investment in local rice investment, providing incentive for local farmers to produce more Liberian rice”, he said.

In her address to the nation yesterday, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said the increase in the price of rice is beyond her Government control and attributed it to the increase of price on the world market. The Liberian leader however urged Liberians to engage in domestic farming.

Commenting on the appointment of City Mayors, Cllr. Brumskine has this to say; “for the first time in the history of “good governance” in Liberia, President Sirleaf has appointed a City Mayor, sadly, a narrow majority of the Supreme Court upheld the President’s appointment as constitutional. Today, it is not just a Liberian President who is wrong, but also the law has been made wrong”.

The Liberty Party for Standard Bearer however commended President Sirleaf and her Government for the repaving of the Jallah Town road, the repair works that are currently being carried out on Tubman Boulevard and the Robertsfield Highway, among others. The Party also congratulates the President on the renovation of public buildings, such as the Capitol building and Temple of Justice. He expressed the hope that the President would prioritize the renovation of the Executive Mansion, the seat of the presidency, as well as the infrastructure of the University of Liberia.

Cllr.

About the Author:
Michael Kpayili is a staff writer for TheLiberianTimes.com. Kpayili has written articles which have appeared on TheLiberianTimes.com since late 2005, and his hard hitting investigative journalism has earned the respect of the Liberian press community.

Michael Kpayili may be contacted at mkpayili@theliberiantimes.com.