‘The Time Is Now, and we are ready’ -Newly Established People’s Liberation Party Vows to do Things Differently

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

The suppression of multiparty democracy more than a century ago opened a floodgate for the bludgeoning of political parties after the 1980 coup d’etat which saw the toppling of the last vestiges of one-party rule under the True Whig Party. Since then, Liberians have tinkered with multiparty democracy, with all of its pros and cons. As the political landscape keeps getting overcrowded with new entrants, at the advent of every electoral season, so it was on Monday, December 21, 2020 when the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC) granted another new political party, the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), permission to enter the vast political minefield and operate as a full-fledged political institution among 26 others that are already accredited in Liberia.

According to NEC, there are currently 26 political parties functioning in the country prior to the accreditation of the newly accredited People’s Liberation Party. The accreditation of the PLP takes the total number of political parties operating in Liberia to 27.

During the accreditation program at the NEC head office on 9th Street Sinkor, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission Davidetta Browne-Lansanah said the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) having applied for status has met all requirements under the Law.

“I have the honor on behalf of the Board of Commissioners to present to you Honorable Doe, organizing Chairperson of the PLP, this certificate to enable your party to function as a political party in the Republic of Liberia,” Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah noted.

In his statement of response, the organizing Chairperson of the People’s Liberation Party, Mr. Tapple E. Doe, said the certificate conferred upon the party demonstrates that the PLP has been given the full rights and privileges to function as all other registered political parties in the Republic of Liberia.

“Today, on behalf of the leadership and members of the PEOPLE’S LIBERATION PARTY, it is my honor to receive this certificate. This certificate has formally authorized the People’s Liberation Party to operate in the country as a bonafide political organization. We know that this certificate confers upon us the fullness of rights and privileges accorded all registered political parties”, PLP organizing Chairperson Tapple E. Doe said.

He expressed that it was also important for the party to receive certificate which the party views as a formal license to work more assiduously, and as best as it can, to positively influence the deepening of Liberia’s young democratic culture.

Mr. Doe furthered that the PLP is committed to organize differently, and act responsibly, so as to earn the respect, trust and confidence of the Liberian people, while committing the party to all Liberians- the young, and old, the haves, the have-not, the educated, and the uneducated, saying it is for all of our people that we have organized this party.

“It is for a better Liberia that we have come to exist. It is for change, for freedom, for respect for the rule of law, and to seek the best for our country – to seek the best for children, and their children that we have come to exist.

“It is to be good exemplars- to give back to our country with honor and integrity, to care for the conditions of others so that each has a chance to be lifted up, and to dutifully pursue unity and peace in the development of our country, that we have organized ourselves into the People’s Liberation Party”, he assured.

“As our Motto states “THE TIME IS NOW” and we are ready. I THANK YOU”, Mr. Doe concluded.