‘We Will Win Run-off Election by Force’

MONROVIA – The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has vowed “drastic action” against anyone involved in “vote buying and other criminal behaviors” during the November 24 Montserrado County by-election runoff.

Addressing a news conference yesterday at its headquarters on 9th Street in Sinkor, the CDC said it had received credible reports that US$150,000 had been allocated by the ruling Unity Party (UP) candidate, Clemenceau Urey, to buy voter registration cards.

CDC stalwart, Rufus Neufville, told the news conference that his party is prepared to substantiate the claims even at the Supreme Court of Liberia.

Asked by a reporter at the news conference to support his vote-buying allegation against the UP, Neufville retorted: “Can’t you see UP buying votes around here? Our propaganda committee has hinted us. We saw it in the first round and now you are asking me for evidence.”

The CDC District number two Representative in the National Legislature who was assisted at the news conference by CDC Vice Chairman for Mobilization, Thomas Fallah, contended that CDC partisans and supporters across Montserrado County had already been told to effect “citizen’s arrests” of individuals involved in any electoral fraud.

“Our partisans are informed on the issue. This time, we are not going to have NEC informed about any fraud; we will effect citizen’s arrest if we see anyone involved in fraud,” Neuvfille threatened.

Also speaking at the news conference, Fallah said his party had resolved to win the run-off election.

“We are ready, and let me say this; we will win this election ‘by force.’ We believe that we can make it. That is why we will do all that we can to ensure that CDC wins the Senate seat,” Fallah stressed.

According to Fallah and Neuvfille, records in their party’s possession showed that UP obtained 20 percent of the total votes cast in the first round of the by-election while 70 percent of the voting population voted against UP in various forms.

“This record tells you that the people are tired of suffering and need change, and that is why we are set for this election. We are going to this election with our lives to ensure that this election is fraud-free and that is why we are sounding this warning for them to be aware that we are watching them,” Neufville stated.

The candidate of the CDC, Mrs. Geraldine Doe-Sherriff, won the first round of the Montserrado County senatorial by-election, narrowly defeating UP candidate, Clemenceau Urey, by 5,545 votes.

Sherif bagged 33,874 valid votes cast, constituting 35.5% of the total votes cast, while Urey obtained 28,329 valid votes, constituting 29.7%. This means that the majority of Liberians voted for neither the CDC nor the UP.

When the Daily Observer last night contacted UP candidate Clemenceau Urey through a mobile phone on the CDC’s claim that he had allocated US$150,000 to buy voters cards, Clemenceau Urey said the CDC allegations were totally false and had no iota of truth.

“Let CDC tell me how will I use those cards that they are talking about. In fact, will I be in the voting room with the voters?” Urey asked.

Urey made it clear that he was involved in clean campaign activities and that he was focused on discussing the issues that are in the best interest of the people of Montserrado County in particular and Liberia in general, as opposed to attacking other candidates.

He also advised the CDC to refrain from negative statements that have the potential to cause disunity.