EPA Boss Tarpeh Declines Appointment To Campaign Committee -But Pledges to Support Campaign Efforts

The Coalition for Democratic Change recently formed its national campaign team comprising 500 campaign managers for Montserrado County alone, ahead of the December 8, 2020 midterm senatorial elections. Making the announcement on October 22 at the headquarters of the CDC, National Chairman Mulbah Morlu named Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director, Professor Wilson K. Tarpeh, as the Campaign National Chairman. But apparently keeping a keen eye on the Code of Conduct, Professor Tarpeh has declined his appointment, while vowing to support the campaign efforts.

The Code of Conduct, under Section 5.1, clearly states that all officials appointed by the President of the Republic of Liberia shall not engage in political activities, canvass, or contest for elected offices; or serve on a campaign team of any political party, or the campaign of any independent candidate.

Observers see the CDC appointment of public officials on its campaign committee as a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and a serious threat to the country’s democracy.

Already, the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC), a conglomeration of Liberian civil society organizations, has slammed the CDC appointment of appointed officials to its campaign committee.

“The appointment of presidential appointees to the CDC campaign team is in breach of the provisions cited above and greatly undermines the integrity of the country’s democracy. The ECC wishes to remind Liberians that democratic governance is meaningless when the laws governing the conduct of elections are disrespected, ignored and violated. The conduct of elections does not guarantee democracy. The foundation of democracy is grounded in respect for the rule of law.    When this happens, democracy grows; it is deepened, and consolidated. In view of this breach, the ECC calls on the CDC-led government to impress upon the leadership of the party to remove the names of presidential appointees that have been appointed to serve in various capacities on the CDC’s campaign team,” the ECC observed, immediately following the announcement of the CDC campaign team.