OLM’S July 19 Referendum, a Political Manipulation?

By Augustus Browne

In one of our recent report, the People’s News revealed that the OLM leadership is planning a secret meeting to adopt the so called "draft constitution." A few days ago the OLM issued a release in which it announced that it is planning to hold referendum on July 19, 2009. To date, 99 percent of the people have not seen the so-called draft constitution. What would you call this? A manipulation or what?

A referendum process must be creditable, realistic and practical. In this exercise, the people cannot see any of that. Remember, a constitution is based on popular ratification would have the highest legal status.

Disadvantage of the People

The nagging question on many community members’ mind is if the July 19th Referendum is one of many scams perpetuated by this administration, or is it another political manipulation? Manipulation is to change or present something in a way that is false but personally advantageous.

Political manipulation is an attempt by one or more individuals to structure a group choice situation in a manner that maximizes the chances of a favorable outcome or minimizes the chances of an unfavorable outcome. It is when the individuals for their selfish aggrandizement dishonestly lead the group though questionable means to make decisions in the interest of a few. Is the sole purpose of having this ‘referendum’ an attempt to elect another rubber stamped, do-thing Board that will eventually make Kerper Dwanyen, "Executive Director"?

We will not sit by why the people are being disadvantaged. Playing on the intelligence of community members is akin to saying we all are stupid. This will not be allowed to happen! Give the people the opportunity to know what they are voting for. As far as this exercise is concerned, the people do not know what is going on. Don’t kill the OLM for your selfish political gains; the interest of the community must come put first. Do the honorable thing and listen to the wishes of the people.

Where is the Momentum?

Do you have the momentum for a popular referendum? Let us be honest here; is July 19th a realistic date for any referendum? Remember a referendum is a direct popular vote on a proposed law or constitutional amendment or the legal process of submitting to the voters for their approval or rejection of proposed state or local or organization laws or constitutional amendments. The OLM last meeting was poorly attended with barely 15 people present. Liberian residents in the State of Minnesota are estimated to be around 25 thousand.

The average voters for the last three OLM elections is 1,200. If this referendum is to be legitimate, you will need to create the situation that at least 50 percent of the population attends. Have you wondered why referendums are held during the regular elections? The reason is to ensure that the people turn out in a popular numbers.

The people need to know if this is not a political game. Otherwise, that so-called referendum needs to be halted! This referendum need to be held at a time that is realistic or during the next election.

July 26, a realistic time?

At this time of the year when people are contemplating on what to send home to their relatives for the "July 26," Liberian independence anniversary celebration, how many people will show? Is it that Mr. Kerper Just want to say we had a referendum? Will it be in the best interest of the community? Certainly not! Where is the momentum that will bring the people out?

When you are planning for the next election? Does the president usually announce the election timetable, or the Board? The time table is intended to ensure that people are informed or educated and momentum is built. Therefore, before the referendum, there is always a process. The electorates need to be well informed and educated.

They must be given the opportunity to review the document before the day of the referendum. You will want to put into place an independent committee, call it a Constitutional Committee. The second issue here is, how many people have received copies of the constitution in order to read and make informed decisions?

The draft constitution needs to be printed and widely circulated around the community – at various Liberian churches, businesses, and sent out to at many people as can be reached. If you don’t provide the opportunity to the people, you will be doing them a disservice to the political sagacity of the people. You will be the objective of critical disparagement in years to come.

A more realistic and practical Timetable

This is a more realistic timetable for the referendum; it will ensure that every necessary for the people to be informed or educated is in place. It will ensure that this process is creditable and realistic and free of manipulation. The people will need time to read and digest this document and have a period to suggest changes in the best interest of the community.

At the same time how many people have a copy to be able to vote base on have they know and understand? On the day of the referendum, they will only be voting "yes" or "no." There will be no time to change this or that. On your "due paying membership" roster, there are less than a hundred people listed.

Provide a period for voter registration, a time they can catch-up with their dues and other payment.

Accordingly, this is a more practical timetable:

1. Presentation of the draft to the Board and/or the administration (within 2 weeks)
2. Election of advisory council (within first week)
3. Distribution and circulation of draft (within two to six weeks)
4. Draft constitutional forums: to include Reading & corrections (within six to eight weeks)
5. Voters registration (within four to eight weeks)
6. Poll day or referendum day (within one day)
7. Announcement of results (immediately at the polling)
8. Protest (within four week after polling)
9. Certified the results (immediately after the protest period)
10. Implementation or Effective date (beginning of the next OLM administration)

Unanswered questions?

There are several unanswered questions? For example, what will be the effective date of the referendum if it passes? Why is the same drafting committee the same for implementation? Why not another committee or the election committee? According to the draft, the people have the right to elect their leaders as a community base organization, why? Why is there not a specific tenure for the executive? As a matter of fact, and to avoid future legal issues, the Executive Director, when appointed, must sign a contract that clearly states his or her tenure and what he can and cannot do.

It has to be clear when it will go into effect, before the end of this term or at the beginning of the next term, or election. In our last article, we suggested Constitution Advisory Council (CAC).  Various county and community groups and church leaders that will elect representatives to form this body.

The responsibilities and functions of this body will provide the environment for the people to be educated on what they are about to vote on, hold forums for the purpose of listening to the input and or views of the people, etc. They ensure that people are fully educated. It will be that group that will invite the constitutional committee to answer whatever question the people would have. This is also to ensure accountability, the people participation and creditability. The people have questions and they need to be answered. This administration has the responsibility to provide the answers to the people’s questions.

Conclusion

The referendum cannot be done like a town-hall meeting. It has to be at the same standard of the organization or a general election or during the next general elections in case of financial constrains. This process must follow a definite timetable like is done for any election process. Like the election process, you may need a guideline like that of the election.

What steps has Mr. Kerper taken to unify the community? Withdraw his current lawsuit from the courts? Make peace with the Board chairman or Board chairman will intimidated to submit to anything? Have the OLM committee member returned? Involved former elections oppositions? Paid back the funds he misused to pay himself without the knowledge and approval of the Board? The issue of peace and unity in this community is more important for growth and development. Where is this community on that? What has he done?

It is no doubts now that you want to be "Executive Director" and in charge of the OLM indefinitely. You want to own the OLM if you may. But do the honorable thing. Make sure that the people fully participate in this exercise. Let their voices be heard. Don’t manipulate them to your political advantage.

This is a one in a life time thing and it must be done appropriately and in the interest of the majority. However, whatever it takes, please do not manipulate the people for any selfish political gains. It will not help this community. Whatever is done, it must be for the common good of the community. The time is now!