As the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) grapples with its darkest hour under the interim leadership of Peter Quaqua, Frank Sainworla, and others, the fundamental principles of democratic governance have been trampled upon without a shred of remorse. The recent elections, purportedly overseen by this interim team, were nothing short of a farce, reflecting neither fairness nor transparency, with a shocking participation rate of just 16%.
The manipulation during the electoral process was blatant. Quaqua’s leadership allowed the names of withdrawn candidates to remain on the ballot sheets, a maneuver seemingly designed to confuse voters and dilute votes, ensuring a white ballot victory for their favored candidates. This act of deception was compounded by the wrongful purging of former union executives from the voter roster, punishing them for their political ventures and thereby compromising the election’s integrity. Astonishingly, a candidate who had withdrawn six months prior and became a government employee remained on the ballot—an indefensible inconsistency.
The result? A paltry 178 votes from over a thousand eligible members—an outcome that can hardly be deemed a mandate. The audacity of Quaqua and his cohort to claim legitimacy in these circumstances is not just morally repugnant; it is a slap in the face to every member of the union and to the tenets of justice and equity that journalism stands for.
Furthermore, the decision to proceed with the inauguration despite a pending legal challenge and clear judicial directives for a new election is nothing but a flagrant disregard for legal and ethical standards. It is a stark revelation of a leadership more interested in clinging to power than in fostering unity or respecting the collective will of the journalists they purport to represent.
We commend the members of the diplomatic community, governmental officials, and development partners who, heeding the call of Team Unity, boycotted this undemocratic inauguration. Their absence sends a powerful message that electoral theft and such blatant undemocratic processes have no place in our society. Journalists, above all, should lead by example in upholding the highest standards of ethics and governance.
The true will of the majority must prevail. It is imperative that all stakeholders stand together to ensure that democratic values are not merely upheld but revered within the union.
This is a call to action not just for the members of the PUL but for all who value democracy and integrity in journalism. We must not allow such blatant abuses of power to go unchecked. The integrity of the Press Union of Liberia must be restored, ensuring it continues to serve as a bastion of truth and justice in Liberia and beyond.
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