— President Weah, Boakai and Cummings refused to attend
The Consortium of Media and Civil Society Organizations has concluded its second and final presidential debate inGbarnga, Bong County, ahead of the October 10, 2023 polls in Liberia. The initiative is part of support for electoral democracy in Liberia.
Facilitated by the USAID Liberia Media Activity, the presidential debate aims to support the electoral process andpromote informed decision-making by the Liberian people.
Lien Bach, Chief of Party for Internews, speaking on behalf of the debate-organizing Consortium, said the 2023 presidentialdebate also aims to enhance electoral transparency, stimulate civic engagement, facilitate policy analysis, and ensureequitable representation of all candidates.
The media consortium comprises the Liberia Media for Democratic Initiatives (LMDI), the Center for Media Studiesand Peacebuilding (CEMESP), the Amos C. Sawyer Foundation, the Association of Community Radios (ALICOR),Local Voices Liberia, and the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), amongst others.Madam Bach emphasized that the debates would help “increase the engagement of citizens in the elections, andbring about improved election processes that ensure trust in the future and promote a peaceful election.”“These presidential debates offer the opportunity for citizens to learn about the candidates’ positions on key issues, theirpolicy proposals, and their vision for the future, enabling citizens to make informed choices during the elections. It alsoenhances electoral transparency and encourages accountability, by creating a public forum for candidates todiscuss their platforms, defend their positions, and address voters’ concerns,” she added.
The Consortium of media and civil society organizations is also optimistic that the presidential debates will support civicengagement and promote voter participation by offering a platform for increased interaction between the candidates andthe public.
At the same time, the debate also facilitates policy analysis by encouraging critical examination of candidates’ policy
proposals and allowing voters to compare and evaluate candidates’ ideas, plans, and strategies for the future.The debates provided fair and equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of their political affiliation, gender,ethnicity, or socio-economic background.
“Electoral debates play a crucial role in promoting informed decision-making, fostering transparency, and engagingcitizens in the democratic process. The debate will provide a platform for open discussion, policy analysis, and votereducation,” said Ms. Bach.
The debate is intended to offer voters the opportunity to learn about the candidates’ positions on key issues, their policyproposals, and their vision for the future, enabling them to make an informed choice during the elections.The presidential debate creates a transparent and accountable electoral process by providing a public forum forcandidates to discuss their platforms, defend their positions, and address voters’ concerns.
The 2023 presidential debate enables a critical examination of candidates’ policy proposals, allowing voters to compare and evaluate their ideas, plans, and strategies for the future of Liberia.
The second and final presidential debate for 2023 provided each candidate the platform that they had been missing toappeal to voters and secure their support in the race for Liberia's highest office.
According to the National Elections Commission, there are a total of 20 individuals, including two women, who have filed their candidacy for the Liberian presidency in the pending election of October 10, 2023.
The candidates who attended the final presidential debate were; Taiwan Saye Gongloe, Liberian People’s Party (LPP);Sheik Al Kouyateh, Liberia First Movement (LFM); Sara Beysolow Nyanti, African Liberation League (ALL); BenduAlehma Kromah, Independent candidate. Others include Robert Franz Morris, Independent Candidate;David G.B. Kiamue, Democratic People's Party of Liberia (DPPL); Luther N. Yorfee, Liberia Rebuilding Party (TheRebuilders); Edward W. Appleton, Jr., Grassroots Development Movement (GDM); and Joshua Tom Turner,New Liberia Party (NLP).
The organizers of the presidential debate provided thematic areas for participating candidates, including the economy,education, agriculture, security, healthcare, infrastructure, foreign policy, peace and reconciliation, youth empowerment,corruption, and gender equity.
On the crucial subject of education, all candidates expressed their commitment to revising the education curriculum to meet international standards and implementing free and compulsory education for all Liberians.
Moreover, they vowed to revitalize Liberia’s industries, championing “Made in Liberia” initiatives to empower citizensand create job opportunities to enable more citizens to afford education for their children.
However, President George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) party, Former Vice PresidentJoseph N. Boakai of the Unity Party, and Alexander B. Cummings of the CPP/ANC again did not attend the second and final presidential debate, due to their extensive campaign commitments.
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