MONROVIA – The Press Union of Liberia is urging the National Election Commission (NEC) to promptly release the Final Registration Roll (FRR) for the upcoming 2023 Presidential and General Elections.
Recently, opposition political parties staged protests in front of the National Elections Commission, demanding the swift publication of the final registration roll.
The National Election Commission has committed to making the Final Registration Roll available on September 29, 2023. The voter roll, which contains the names and information of eligible voters, is a crucial element in any election and plays a pivotal role in ensuring a transparent electoral process.
Section 16.7 of the ‘2023 Voter Registration Regulations’ states that the National Election Commission is prohibited from making any modifications to the final voters’ list within 30 days before an election unless ordered to do so by the Supreme Court.
In a press release issued on Monday, September 25, 2023, the Press Union of Liberia stated that the delays in publishing and distributing the list in physical copies have exposed the elections to potential legal challenges. These avoidable gaffes should be prevented in a process as consequential as a national election.
The Union views this publication as a demonstration of the fundamental value of conducting peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and verifiable elections in Liberia.
The Union stressed that adhering to the electoral body’s timeline for releasing the Final Registration Roll would have bolstered public confidence in the election’s outcome, but it is never too late to rectify the process.
