Grand Gedeh County – Young Liberian voters in Grand Gedeh County are upbeat about the October 10 polls and are also hopeful that the National Elections Commissions would conduct free, fair and transparent elections.
“We’re going to elect those who will decide how we spend our country money, so if we vote selfish people and overlook the selfless ones, it is us who will suffer on bad roads, die from even hiccups and do not have sound education and continue to have the third season – hunger season.” – George Wright, first-time voter in Grand Gedeh County
There are over 108, 485 first timer voters, according to NEC’s 2017 voters roll update, two percent of this number will vote in Grand Gedeh County.
They will, for the first time exercise their democratic franchise at the ballot box since reaching the statutory age.
According to Liberia’s elections law, a citizen can vote at age 18 and above.
While these young enthusiastic voters are keen on taking part in the electoral process, they have expressed interest in various topical issues.
“I was born in Kumah Town, Tchien Menson Chiefdom in Grand Gedeh County; I became interested in Liberian politics when I was 8 years old,” said 20-year old Rancy Maoh, a resident of Kudah bye Pass Community in Zwedru. “Liberia belongs to every Liberian and as such we are calling on the NEC to conduct a transparent election”.
He continued: “I wasn’t old enough to vote in the previous elections, so it wouldn’t have mattered, anyway, but I’m old enough now. And I made it a point to register and vote because it’s a national decision-making that I am eligible to be a part of.”
Rancy Moah, who spoke with LocalVoicesLiberia in Zwedru, described the 2017 elections as crucial because there would be a transition of a regime.
He, however, said that the excitement would not affect his decision to vote right.“My happiness as a first-time voter doesn’t mean I am not evaluating the candidates by their platforms, I listen to the radio and I read their flyers so I am encouraging my friends to do the same,” he said, adding that Liberians must be peaceful during and after the elections.
“My happiness as a first-time voter doesn’t mean I am not evaluating the candidates by their platforms, I listen to the radio and I read their flyers so I am encouraging my friends to do the same,” he said, adding that Liberians must be peaceful during and after the elections.
“I don’t see any reason to be violent during these elections. There are over two million voters and the candidates are far below even five thousand. Why should so much people fight for the benefit of less than a handful of people?”
George Wright, another first-time voter, said: “The future of the country will be bright for the younger generation if Liberians vote wisely”.
“This country will never be developed if we don’t vote people with the mentality to develop it,” he said, adding, “Liberia needs to make strides in the areas of education, health, agriculture and road connectivity”.
“We’re going to elect those who will decide how we spend our country money, so if we vote selfish people and overlook the selfless ones, it is us who will suffer on bad roads, die from even hiccups and do not have sound education and continue to have the third season – hunger season,” he said.
Rufus Mummie says although he’s excited about his right to vote, he have been scrutinising all the candidates in order to make a good decision
Eddie Bayee, a first time voter who prioritizes education, said he longed for voting right since 2011 when he was 14.
“Now I am qualified to vote. I can’t wait to have the experience. I am voting for quality education,” Eddie said, urging other young people to vote candidates who are committed to solving Liberia’s education problems.
“I am G. Rufus M. Bumie, born in 1993 in Seclapia, Nimba County. I live in Zwedru,” said another first-time voter. “Participating in this election for the first time is a worthy experience”.
Rufus says it is every voter’s responsibility to put Liberia first as the country goes to the polls on October 10.
Alpha Daffae Senkpeni is a multi-media journalist and fact checker with over 18 years’ experience. Senkpeni is the Director and Senior Editor of Local Voices Liberia (LVL) – a network that operates Liberia’s major independent fact checking desk. LVL has implemented several media development projects funded by USAID and the European Union. Since 2021, he has led the organization’s implementation of fact checking projects including fact checking workshops for journalists, media literacy programs, and community forums – all geared toward countering disinformation and expanding the culture of fact checking.
Senkpeni holds a law degree from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and a BSc in Mass Communications from the University of Liberia. He’s also an alumnus of the Radio Netherlands Training Center (RNTC) with a certificate in Digital Content to Counter Disinformation. He has also attended several fact checking trainings.
Rancy Moah, who spoke with LocalVoicesLiberia in Zwedru, described the 2017 elections as crucial because there would be a transition of a regime.
