Peacekeepers in Liberia will vote

BALLOT papers for Namibia’s presidential and general elections, sent to Liberia via Ivory Coast, disappeared at the Abidjan airport last week.

The Electoral Commission had to call in State House to urgently facilitate the airlifting of another batch of ballot papers after the first consignment was either destroyed or stolen in Abidjan. Electoral Commission Chairman Victor Tonchi said they “have taken measures” to ensure that around 850 Namibian peacekeepers in Liberia will be able to vote when the polling stations open this morning.”The documents have been destroyed,” said Tonchi, “but the people in Liberia will vote”.Sources said State House arranged a trip with the Government’s Falcon Jet.The elections in Liberia will be administered by a returning officer from Namibia’s High Commission in Nigeria.Namibia has 855 peacekeepers in Liberia – 844 troops, six civilian police, four staff officers and three military observers.They have the responsibility of securing and safeguarding the western corridor between Liberia and Sierra Leone.They were deployed in February this year under the United Nations peacekeeping force.Electoral Commission Chairman Victor Tonchi said they “have taken measures” to ensure that around 850 Namibian peacekeepers in Liberia will be able to vote when the polling stations open this morning.”The documents have been destroyed,” said Tonchi, “but the people in Liberia will vote”.Sources said State House arranged a trip with the Government’s Falcon Jet.The elections in Liberia will be administered by a returning officer from Namibia’s High Commission in Nigeria.Namibia has 855 peacekeepers in Liberia – 844 troops, six civilian police, four staff officers and three military observers.They have the responsibility of securing and safeguarding the western corridor between Liberia and Sierra Leone.They were deployed in February this year under the United Nations peacekeeping force.