MONROVIA โ The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) categorically refutes and condemns the misinformation currently circulating on Facebook, which falsely accuses its former Chairperson, Mr. Oscar Bloh, of misusing USAID funds during the 2023 general electionsโfunds that were intended to support efforts aimed at boosting voter confidence.
As of early 2024, Mr. Oscar Bloh formally resigned from his position as Chairperson of the ECC Board and has since transitioned into another professional role outside the institution. Since his departure, Mr. Malcolm Joseph has assumed the role of Chairperson and currently leads the organization.
There is no credible evidence or official report indicating that Mr. Bloh or the ECC mismanaged any USAID funding. The decision by the U.S. Government to scale back or restructure certain global programs, including some initiatives in Liberia, is part of a broader reassessment of international development priorities.
This strategic realignment has affected not only Liberia but also a range of other countries and multilateral institutions, including the United Nations. Attempts to link this to any misconduct by the ECC are entirely misleading.
Moreover, the ECC is an independent, non-partisan civil society platform dedicated to observing elections and promoting democratic governance. It does not support or collaborate with any political party or actor. Allegations that the ECC shared election data with a particular candidate are baseless and misrepresent the organizationโs work. All information released by the ECC during election periods is based on verified, real-time reports from its accredited observers and is made publicly available in the interest of transparency. The ECC remains committed to upholding democratic values and ensuring the credibility and integrity of Liberiaโs electoral processes. We urge members of the public, media practitioners, and online users to verify claims before sharing, and to avoid amplifying false narratives that undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
