But Former NEC Boss Ask for Consideration
“We can’t afford to waste our time and energy by standing under the sun, in long queues to vote for the same corrupt people who don’t mean well for the country, but themselves and their families,” – Ma Rachel Duwor.
By: Gloria Wleh
As citizens are expected to go to the polls on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, for the Special Senatorial
Elections and elect their senators, several aggrieved market women of the Goba-Chop and Rally Town Markets have disclosed that they will not vote.
The aggrieved women who spoke to The Stage said they made the decision because politicians who they’ve voted for including the current regime have failed the country by seeking their ‘own interest’ and abandoning the cause of the people; and as such, they believe that voting again won’t make any sense of impact.
According to Ma Racheal Duwor, 52-years sells pepper and bitter ball, “the living condition of the
poor people which the current administration has made its ‘agenda for prosperity’ has made life more unbearable for the entire country.
She said the country is at the risk with the high increase of insecurity, poor economy, and health care services at government-run facilities, among others.
The mother of 6 children said, “We are tired and frustrated about our leaders, they are not working in
our interest and we will not vote so they can be aware that all is not well in the country.”
Evon Kimba,32, voted in previous elections, but has decided to skip Tuesday’s election, which happened simultaneously in the 15 counties because “the lawmakers have no plans for us.’’
“They only fight for their own selfish gains,’’ she said. “I can vote for President and Vice President, not representatives and senators because they don’t have interests in their constituents,” he added.
No female on the Ruling Party Ticket
Beatrice Bull, 29, also told our reporter that she will not vote because of the ruling party’s decision to not carry women candidates on the party’s ticket.
“I am a woman and also a Cdician, the refusal of my party to include women will not encourage me to vote.”
According to her, the male lawmakers, “are not interested in representing the interests of the citizens. They are simply looking to make more money.”
“They are focusing on their riches and you want me to stand under the sun to allow them to get more money?’’ she asked sarcastically; adding: “I better sell my market to send my kids to school.’’
There are 20 females out of 118 candidates according to the National Elections Commission.
Annie Flomo, who runs the plantain business in Rally-Town market spoke of her disappointment with the candidates running in the senatorial election.
“The candidates are many and I just need to focus on my market to help my children.”
There are 10 contestants in the Montserrado race: Bernard Blue alias DJ Blue, Abraham Darius Dillon, Phil Dixon, Thomas Fallah, Evangeline King, Sheik Kouyateh, Siah Tandapolie, Cecelia Teah, Isaac Vah-Tukpah, Jamima Wolokolie.
Ms. Flomo said they are not interested in voting because ‘’no one came here to tell us that they want our votes.
The marketers use their little earnings to pay their kids’ school fees and support their families.
“We go out to vote, hoping that we will get a scholarship, but as soon as they (candidates) win, they don’t have time for us,’’ Ms. Flomo said. ‘’But during an election period, they want us to leave our busy schedule and go in line to vote for them.”
Martha Sakpolo, a single mother of two, ages 10 and 7, said she will not vote because she had to work to support her children.
“I don’t feel happy,’’ she said. “The country is hard, so I had to come to sell and send food to my children.’’
Hungry Lawmakers
Noah Tokpah alias LIB Sweet is a cold-water seller expressed her unhappiness over those she called
“Hungry lawmakers”, who she believes are not helping the president to govern the country properly.
According to Miss Tokpah, it is the lawmakers who have all of the power to make sure that checks and
balances are done, which would make the executive function for the betterment of the country.
Reconsider the Decision
At the same time, former National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson, Cllr. Frances Johnson-Allison has called on the aggrieved market women to reconsider their decision.
She said citizens must critique candidates before going to the polls, “It’s time that citizens vote for the right candidates and that can only be done when citizens critique who they vote for.”
Cllr. Allison said despite damages done by those previously elected, there are still good and competent
candidates who are contesting, and as such, she cautions them not to make such a decision based on what she calls a “collective guilt”.
The former NEC boss however noted that, if politicians who have been placed into power by the
electorates should not decline in living toward the people’s expectations.
Don’t Make Bag of Rice a Priority
The former NEC boss said voters should also desist from making bags of rice, money and other materials
as prerequisites to voting for a particular candidate but should instead scrutinize every aspirant or incumbent candidate.
“Poverty has made the voters not to make the right decision in considering the track records, and
prospects of those requesting power from them, and it has also caused the electorates not to be sophisticated to know the requirements of a candidate, thereby politicians don’t deliver as they should”, Cllr Allison said.
