The new Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Liberia, Catherine Rodriguez, warns political actors who intend to cause violence and undermine democracy, now before and after elections to expect possible calamity .
Speaking with Journalists during her first formal interaction with the Liberian media during the week in Monrovia , she disclosed that the United States is prepared to assist in efforts to keep the upcoming October 10 elections free, fair, and peaceful by holding accountable anyone responsible for engaging in activities to undermine the democratic election process in Liberia through additional measures such as sanctions.
The U. S. Diplomat maintains that the United States, as a longstanding partner of Liberia, along with the international community, has been working closely with the National Elections Commission ( NEC ) to ensure that all election observers have full access to polling stations during election day, as well as access to the vote tallying.
According to her, the conduct of the upcoming October polls and its management are significant to the maintenance of democracy in Liberia.
“Like other countries in the world, your citizens will soon be celebrating your democracy by flocking to the polls to choose your leaders and representatives. It is a solemn responsibility. The government must ensure that these are fair, free, and peaceful elections, and to hold accountable those that would attempt to disrupt it. Officials must also ensure that the government invests an adequate level of money, personnel, and organizational resources to protect its citizens, candidates, polling stations, and election workers from intimidation or harm,” Chargé d’Affaires emphasized.
At the same time, Madam Catherine Rodriguez lauded the local media and applauded them for the vital roles they continued to play in a critical moment of the nation’s history by objectively reporting and informing the Liberian public about the most important issues of the day.
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