Liberia's Election Commission Warns Against Discrimination

NEC Warns Voter Registrars
(culled from May 5, 2005 Daily Observer)

National Election Commission cautions workers not reject members of Mandingo ethnic group from registering to vote.
By J. Wesjwes@liberianobserver.com
Monrovia, May 3-The National Elections Commission (NEC) says its attention has been drawn to reports that some members of the Mandingo ethnic group are being rejected at various centers in the on-going voter registration exercise on the allegation that they are not Liberian citizens.
The release quotes the NEC as saying the rules disallowing non Liberians to register does not in any way target any group including Mandingo and has therefore called voter registrars not to interpret the regulations in a discriminatory pattern so as to prevent any eligible Liberian from exercising his franchise.
The NEC maintains that while there must be strict adherence to the provisions that non-Liberians must not register, voter registrars should not enforce this rule in a segregative manner or employ interpretations that could disenfranchise eligible Liberia.
The NEC further warns that voter registrars found disqualifying bona fide Liberians will be penalized.
NEC assures all Liberians, including members of the Mandingo ethnic group of Liberia that the rights of all tribes will be protected during this electoral process.