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Movement for Progressive Change

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The Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) is a political party in Liberia.

History

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The MPC contested the 2011 presidential election. Their nominee was Simeon C. M. Freeman, alongside running mate Cyrus Cromah.[1] After a failed referendum in August to shorten the residency requirements for presidential candidates, the MPC filed a legal challenge against six other presidential candidates, including incumbent president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, on grounds they were ineligible to run due to failing to meet the unchanged residency requirements. The case was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Liberia on October 5.[2] Freeman received 5,559 votes, 0.5% of the total.[1] In the legislature, the MPC won no seats in the Senate, but two in the House of Representatives.[3] Numene T. H. Bartekwa was elected in the Grand Kru County #2 District and Alex Chersia Grant won in the Grand Gedeh County #3 District.[4]

The MPC again unsuccessfully contested the Senate in the 2014 election.[5][6] In the 2015 by-election in Rivercess's 2nd House district, Byron W. Zahnwea was elected on the MPC ticket.[7]

In early 2016, Freeman fled the country. He was facing legal charges of treason by the Sirleaf government after he had claimed the government was involved with the death of businessman Harry Greaves. Freeman claimed that he himself was declared an enemy by the government. In June 2016, several MPC members left the party, joining the Alternative National Congress, due to the group's lack of confidence in the leadership of the MPC. The government dropped all charged against Freeman while he was out of the country. He returned to the country in December.[8][9]

In the 2017 election, Freeman again contested the presidency, alongside running mate William T. Knowlden.[10] According to Rodney Sieh of FrontPage Africa, Freeman was among the harshest critics of the Sirleaf government running, advocating a smaller government and a prioritization of the private sector as a means of economic growth.[11] Freeman received 6,682 votes, 0.4% of the total.[10] In the legislative elections, the MPC saw no victories in 2017. Rep. Grant won re-election under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner, Rep. Zahnwea won re-election under the Unity Party banner, and Jonathan Fonati Koffa won the Grand Kru County #2 District.[12]

By September 30, 2020, Nimba County Senator Thomas Grupee switched party allegiance from the Unity Party to the MPC.[13] In the Senate election that year, Senator Grupee was defeated for re-election by Jeremiah Koung. No MPC candidates were elected.[14] By September 20, 2022, Q. Somah Paygai, who served as the running mate on the National Patriotic Party ticket in the 2005 presidential election had become a member of the MPC.[15]

In May 2023, ahead of the presidential election that year, Freeman announced his running mate to be James Kollie Barclay.[16] Freeman received 13,205 votes, 0.72% of the votes.[17] The MPC again won no seats in the Senate.[18] In the House, Isaac G. Bannie was elected to the Grand Bassa County #1 District.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "National Tally Center Tally Report for the Presidential and Legislative Elections on 11 October 2011" (PDF). National Elections Commission. September 25, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  2. ^ "Liberia: Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to President Sirleaf's Eligibility to Seek Re-Election". Library of Congress. October 6, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "Elections in Liberia". African Elections Database. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "2011 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2011. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  5. ^ "2014 Special Senatorial Election". National Elections Commission. 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "NATIONAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES 2014 SPECIAL SENATORIAL ELECTION" (PDF). National Elections Commission. October 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "Press Release" (PDF). National Elections Commission. April 22, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "Political Breakaway-Freeman's MPC Partisans Crossover to Cummings ANC". FrontPage Africa. June 24, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  9. ^ "Simeon Freeman Returns to Liberia Following Self-Imposed Exile". FrontPage Africa. December 6, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "National Elections in Liberia, Fall 2017" (PDF). Carter Center. 2017. pp. 60, 217. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "Liberia's Election 2017: Grading Opposition Political Parties". FrontPage Africa. December 21, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "2017 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2017. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  13. ^ Karmo, Henry (September 30, 2020). "Liberia: Nimba County Senator Thomas Warns Ruling Party against Vote Rigging in Pending Senatorial Election". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  14. ^ "2020 SENATORIAL ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2020. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  15. ^ "Liberian Educator, Politician Sets Bar For Nation's Prosperous Future". FrontPage Africa. September 20, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  16. ^ Genoway, Edwin (May 24, 2023). "Liberia: Simeon Freeman Picks Dr. James Kollie Barclay as Running Mate". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  17. ^ "2023 Presidential Elections Results". National Elections Commission. 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  18. ^ "2023 SENATORIAL ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  19. ^ "2023 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION RESULTS". National Elections Commission. 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
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