MONROVIA, August 15 (LINA) - Senator Henry Yallah of Bong County has added his voice to calls for the postponement of the Mid-Term October 2014 Senatorial Election for the purpose of saving lives.

The Senator said in order to have free, fair and transparent election, the lives of the citizenry must firstly be protected, noting that this would not be done in the midst of the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.

Speaking in an interview with the Liberia News Agency on Thursday, Senator Yallah said it would rather be prudent were all politicians to pool resources to combat the disease that is taking a toll on the Liberian people.

Senator Yallah added that it would “not be a good decision to hold elections in these trying times, as many Liberians are already traumatized by the wounds and vacuum the deadly Ebola virus has created.”

He said the postponement is therefore in the interest of the country and politicians, noting “now is the time for candidates to work with their people to reconcile those areas they have failed for the betterment of the various counties.”

“It is in their interest because you cannot campaign without being touched by your fans who will be showing up in large numbers and could pose health danger among themselves,” he said.

The Elections Commission had earlier proposed the postponement of the October senatorial election on grounds that prevailing circumstances, including the state of emergency, would impede the holding of elections that reflect the true meaning of democracy.

The issue of the postponement of the Mid-Term Senatorial Election slated for October has been a source of debate in many circles across the country, including the National Legislature, where 15 Senior Senators are eyeing another nine-year term.

By Winnie Dixon (Intern)

LINA WTD/JGT/TSS/PTK