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| Aaron Dinukar - ULAND President-elect |
Association in North Dakota (ULAND). The Special Election Commission, headed by George Massaquoi, declared him winner of the polls last night, September 27, 2014, at 9:45 pm Central Time in West Fargo, North Dakota. The polls were held in the edifice of the Flame of Faith United Methodist Church at 1222 6th St E.
Of the 252 votes cast, Aaron wooed 97, while former ULAND Secretary General Benjamin Boway collected 81 votes and Saywala Kennedy took 62. The election was so far the most populous, most peaceful, most transparent, fairest and freest election ever held in the North Dakota Liberian community.
The last election in 2011 brought together 23 voters, 20 of whom cast their ballots. In that election, Kwame Blah won. He was pitched against his uncle Anthony Wehyee, who did not attend the debate and withdrew, thereby declaring Mr. Blah eventual winner.
Seven Board members were elected in the 2011 election, as opposed to one board member who was the only contestant in the just ended election. Mr. David Reeves won a clear “Yes” votes from the community. Another election of other board members is expected to be put in place by the newly elected Aaron Dinukar administration.
In a statement the Chairman of the Special Election Commission, George Massaquoi said, “ULAND September 27 Special Elections came to a success climax today (yesterday) with 252 community members casting ballots for the candidates of their choice. The event was peaceful and free from rancor. The atmosphere was cordial. There were nine observers from various candidates who certified the results.”
The SEC said, it extends its “thanks and appreciation to all those attended and supported the process…to the candidates and their supporters, a big thanks to the churches, ULAND, the all the commissioners of the SEC.”
Its always a good thing to have peace. For every, ant human endeavor to progress successfully, there must be peace which is the foundation for social harmony. It therefore behoves all to understand and accept as a factual principle of life rhat whatever means that is adopted for attaning peace myst be solid and mostly unquestionable. That Liberian family at North Dakota arrived at the point they gave arrived in this manner us quite commendable.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, looking at the tabulation of the presidential election results, I have spotted something, whixh from my experience among Liberians in the USA here, is a recipe for future disharmony. Firstly, I don't know what the ULAND's constitutional provision is on the matter(which is the kind of majority required for a qinner to be declared), but from the tabulation privided, 143(62 + 81) voters indicated through their votes that the brother who got elected was not their choice. 97 voters preferred him, giving him a simple majority. In essence, the presidenr elect is not a truly popular choice of the people.
What this implies is this:
1. He should realize this ugly fact by ensuring that in his first quarter of presidentiaal term, the challenge is winning over the true majority through transparent and inclusive actions and activitiea.
2. There are more people oppoaed tgan are supportive and therefore, more criticisms should be expected. He should be open-minded in dealing with such.
3. It must be a priority of his administration to admend ULAND's constitution so that this issue of simple majority in ant future race involving more than Two candidates is handled once and for all.
Meanwhile, I congratulate all Liberians at ND, all outsiders who stood with them, the contestants and the president-elect for the exeecise. God be with you.