MONROVIA, LIBERIA-UNDP Technical Advisor, Nikolina Stalhand, has described the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections as a test of Liberia’s growing democracy.

Madam Stalhand said,” The holding of free, fair, and credible elections will serve as a model for other countries that are battling political instability in the region.”

The UNDP Official was speaking on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in Monrovia, at a one-day youth summit organized by Youth Coalition for Education in Liberia (YOCEL), to educate young people on electoral guidelines.

Meanwhile, Madam Stalhand is calling on the Joint Security to launch a speedy investigation into the recent political violence in Foya, Lofa County.

The UNDP Technical Advisor said:” Perpetrators of the violence serve as warning to would-be violators of the Farmington River Declaration.”

At the same time, the Liberia Bar Association (LBA) is calling for a speedy investigation into the Foya violence.

The violence took place between people believed to be rival supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the opposition Unity Party (UP), which led to the deaths of two persons.

In an ELBC interview on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, the Secretary General of the LBA, Cllr. Gbono Varmah, said:” Electoral violence should have no room in the democratic process of Liberia.”

Cllr. Varmah condemned the violent act and called on the Joint Security to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.

Meanwhile, the Liberia Bar Association wants all political actors to embrace the electoral process with courage and conviction, for the conduct of peaceful elections in the country.

By: Emmanuel Bondo/Sampson David