MONROVIA, November 19 (LINA) – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has said the true essence of democracy is to compete on the basis of ideas about how to improve the lives of the people politicians aspire to lead.
“This would mean that candidates would disagree, but I know we can disagree and exchange our ideas as well as afford the voters a chance to understand our values without resulting to mudslinging or violence,” President Sirleaf said.
The Liberian leader made the statement in a nationwide address Wednesday on the eve of the start of campaigning for the Special Senatorial Election slated for December 16.
She urged all candidates to stand up for tolerance and lend their campaigns to civil discussions for which the people will know them better and the final decisions of the people will benefit their communities and the nation.
President Sirleaf then wished all the candidates well as they go into the campaign process.On December 16, scores of aspirants will be vying for 15 seats in the Liberian Senate in polls to be conducted by the National Election Commission.
The election was constitutionally set for October 14, but was postponed due to the outbreak of the Ebola disease in the country.
LINA PSN/PTK