Last Saturday, I attended the Grand Gedeh County Association in America's annual convention. It was a very colorful event that brought together Grand Gedians in the US. Among those gathered were politicians from Liberia, including CMC political leader, and District 7 Representative, Musa Hassan Bility. The numbers assembled here and the issues discussed are indication of how Liberians in the diaspora are interested in the developments taking place in their homeland, Liberia. This organization is just one of many representing the various counties. Besides the county organizations, there are tribal and religious organizations all showing interest in Liberia in term of development. Diaspora Liberians are not only interested in politics, they send remittances to their families and friends. They send support for educational and health projects that benefit their fellow citizens various parts of Liberia. Various political parties get financial support from their partisans abroad.
With all the interests and support from the Liberian diaspora, the million dollar question is, why are they not allowed to vote in the Liberian election from their various locations outside of Liberia?
Citizens from our neighboring countries such as Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone that live in the US and other countries outside of their borders are allowed to vote during their countries' general elections. During general election in Guinea, Guineans living in Liberia do participate. You see them in long lines exercising their democratic franchise.
Liberia is the only country in the Mano River Union which does allow out of country voting privilege for thousands of its citizens living abroad. This must be an anomaly, giving the nature of democratic culture. For many Liberians in America, this is not fair, giving their various contributions to their families, friends in various communities throughout the nation.
To Liberians in the diaspora, especially in the United States of America, they have the right to participate in elections that determine the fate of the country they love.
Right now, the umbrella Liberian organization, ULAA (United Liberian Association in the Americas) is advocating for the right of the Liberians living in the US. During his recent visit here, Nimba County Representative, Hon Musa Hassan Bility said that he supports the idea of out of country voting for Liberians living abroad. Any politician or political party must be part of this campaign because it is only fair to do so. It is fair that our government must support this idea of out of country voting for our loyal and supportive citizens living abroad.
