Introduction
The Vision for Liberia Transformation (VOLT) is a political party that emerged in Liberia with the goal of addressing the country’s social, economic, and political challenges. Established in 2016, VOLT has sought to provide a platform for change and innovation within Liberia’s political landscape. With a commitment to agriculture and grassroots development, the party aims to engage citizens in the democratic process and promote policies that foster national growth. This article delves into the history of VOLT, its electoral performance, and its ongoing role in Liberia’s political arena.
Founding and Early Years
VOLT was officially certified by the National Elections Commission (NEC) in May 2016, marking its entry into the competitive realm of Liberian politics. The party was founded under the leadership of Dr. Jeremiah Z. Whapoe, who became its first presidential candidate. Whapoe is known for his background as a social entrepreneur and is related to Jackson Doe, a significant political figure in Liberia during the 20th century. His campaign focused heavily on agricultural development, reflecting his belief in the sector’s potential to uplift the Liberian economy and improve living standards.
2017 Presidential Election
In the 2017 presidential election, Dr. Whapoe represented VOLT as its candidate. He selected Isaac Flowers, a former assistant agriculture minister from Bomi County, as his running mate on July 11, 2017. Despite their efforts and campaign strategies focused on agriculture, VOLT faced significant challenges during the elections. Whapoe garnered a mere 3,946 votes, translating to only 0.3% of the total votes cast. This outcome underscored the difficulties smaller parties face in gaining traction within a political system often dominated by larger entities.
Coalition Politics
Following the 2017 elections, Whapoe made a strategic decision to support Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party (UP) during the run-off election. This choice reflects a common practice among smaller parties in Liberia—aligning with larger parties to increase influence and access to resources. Additionally, during the same electoral cycle, VOLT attempted to expand its presence by fielding 25 candidates for the House of Representatives; however, none were successful in winning seats.
The Formation of Rainbow Alliance
On August 31, 2020, VOLT became part of an electoral coalition known as the Rainbow Alliance (RA), which included several other political parties aiming to contest future elections collectively. This alliance was seen as a strategic move to consolidate resources and increase competitiveness against established political forces within Liberia. The RA aimed to participate in both legislative and presidential elections slated for 2023.
Electoral Challenges
In the lead-up to these elections, RA candidates contested Senate seats but faced significant hurdles as none were elected. The coalition’s failure highlighted ongoing struggles within smaller political groups to penetrate entrenched political structures in Liberia. By March 2022, VOLT withdrew from the Rainbow Alliance, signaling a shift towards re-establishing itself as an independent entity within Liberia’s political landscape.
2023 Elections: A New Attempt
In preparation for the 2023 presidential elections, Dr. Whapoe once again put forth his candidacy under the VOLT banner. On July 6, he announced Erasmus Daoda Fahnbulleh as his running mate; Fahnbulleh is not only a former employee of the Ministry of Agriculture but also served as chairman of VOLT. Together, they sought to revitalize their campaign efforts with an emphasis on agricultural policy and community engagement.
Ballot Controversy
The 2023 election was marred by controversy when an error occurred on the ballots printed by the NEC. In one precinct coded “GDM,” both GDM candidate Edward W. Appleton and Whapoe were listed with incorrect designations, leading to allegations from Whapoe that this was an intentional act meant to divert votes away from VOLT towards GDM candidates. Such incidents raised concerns about electoral integrity and fairness in Liberia’s democratic processes.
Current Status and Future Prospects
After participating in another round of elections where Whapoe endorsed UP candidate Boakai in the run-off phase once more, VOLT faced another challenging electoral season. In addition to their presidential aspirations, they fielded candidates for both legislative
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