Monrovia – Mr. Akoi Baysah and Julius Konton, both elected during the highly disputed September 21, 2024 elections, on Tuesday boycotted the scheduled inauguration ceremony. Their decision aligned with the stance taken by Team Unity, a faction within the PUL.
Development partners, members of the diplomatic community and officials of government also boycotted upon the request of Team Unity which outlined the several instances of manipulation and fraud during the electoral process. Team Unity had admonished them that their attendance would have been an endorsement of an undemocratic process and an endorsement of fraud.
The elections, marred by irregularities under the interim leadership of Mr. Peter Quaqua, only saw a participation rate of 16%, with 208 out of 1,280 eligible voters casting their ballots. The low turnout was largely due to a boycott by 84% of the membership, including several key candidates, protesting against the lack of transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
Despite the pending legal hearing aimed at addressing these procedural discrepancies and disenfranchisement issues from the September election, the inauguration is still set to proceed. Team Unity views this move as a validation of the flawed election and a further deepening of the ongoing division and crisis within the union, which has been ongoing for over two years.
The interim leadership’s decision to push forward with the inauguration demonstrates, according to Team Unity, a clear intent to cling to power through undemocratic means.
Team Unity continues to push for a legitimate electoral process that truly reflects the collective will of PUL members and upholds the principles of justice and equity. They call on all stakeholders to stand in solidarity to ensure that democratic values are not only upheld but cherished within the union, fostering a journalistic institution that operates with integrity and transparency.
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