New Deal Will Not Participate In Any Fraudulent Electoral Process

By Winsley S. Nanka

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

February 24, 2003

Isaac Junius
Mr. Isaac Junius, the Chairman of the New Democratic Alternative for Liberia (New Deal Movement) USA Chapter says that the New Deal Movement will not participate in the 2003 national elections in Liberia unless there is an enabling political environment that will produce a credible outcome. Speaking recently in Philadelphia, Mr. Junius outlined some of the components of the enabling political environment as an international security force, international supervision of the 2003 elections; an independent elections commission, cessation of hostilities by the Taylor regime and LURD, the rebel group fighting to unseat Mr. Taylor, and the free movement of candidates within Liberia.

According to Mr. Junius, other factors that the New Deal Movement would consider before participating in the 2003 national elections in Liberia are a national census to determine the number of registered voters in Liberia; the representations of all participating political parties at all polling places, and on the spot counting of ballots with all participating political parties present at the closure of the polling stations. "The New Deal Movement is not interested in legitimizing a fraudulent electoral process, we will not participate in any process intended to legitimize Mr. Taylor", Mr. Junius explained.

On the issue of the lack of experience in governance by the New Deal Presidential contender, Professor George Klay Kieh, Jr. and his running mate, Mr. Alaric Tokpa, Mr. Junius explained that what Liberia needs is a good manager. "The problem we have in Liberia is a management problem, successive Liberian rulers have mismanaged the country," he said. In addition, Mr. Junius outlined several qualities that are required for governing Liberia, qualities, which he said Professor George Klay Kieh, Jr. and his running mate Mr. Alaric Tokpa possess. These qualities according to Mr. Junius include the ability to bring Liberians together irrespective of their ethnic origin or stations in life, patriotism, nationalism, compassion, honesty and unselfishness. He further stated that"we do not need the experiences of the past and present Liberian government officials that have us in this condition today".

Mr. Junius has an undergraduate degree in management from Rider University in New Jersey and currently a graduate student in management science at Farleigh Dickinson University. In addition, Mr. Junius speaks two international languages fluently. Professionally, Mr. Junius works with the State of New Jersey in the Department of Insurance.

Mr. Junius further explained that if the Liberian people grant the New Deal Movement the opportunity to govern Liberia, it would identify Liberian talents irrespective of political affiliations. "Anyone who is qualified and prepared to honestly contribute toward the national socio-economic development process in Liberia will be welcomed in the New Deal administration,"we will not be looking for labels but talents" Mr. Junius said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Junius has disclosed that the New Deal Movement party's convention to nominate candidates for the various electoral offices will be held in the city of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on May 29-31, 2003. He says that the movement has to reschedule the date of its convention to fall within the guidelines set up by the Liberian election commission.

Mr. Junius further disclosed that the New Deal's presidential contender Professor George Klay Kieh, Jr. and his running mate Mr. Alaric Tokpa are scheduled to visit Louisville, Kentucky from February 28 to March 2, 2003. The trip by the Kieh-Tokpa team is part of its tour across the United States to solicit Liberian views about the socio-economic development needs of Liberia; and to acquaint Liberians with the"human-centered" socio-economic development blueprint that the Kieh-Tokpa team has developed for Liberia before the team travels to Liberia in May 2003 for the national elections.