Monrovia, Liberia, October 12 (Infosplusgabon) - The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has lauded Liberian voters for their strong desire to be part of the democratic process by participating in great numbers in the presidential and legislative polls of 10 October. It urged political parties and the election administration to keep their positive role and ensure the will of the voters is reflected in the elections' results. In its preliminary report Thursday, the EU EOM also noted the effort made by Liberian observer organisations, calling it a show of commitment to ensuring the transparency of the elections. EU EOM chief observer Maria Arena said Election Day can be described as calm and adequately conducted by the National Electoral Commission. Before that, the election campaign was nearly entirely peaceful, she observed. 1 / 7
The EU EOM said it will present a final report with recommendations to the public at a later stage. For its part, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) noted that democracy is getting stronger and deeper each time elections are held in Liberia. Former Nigerian Senate President Ken Nnammani, a member of the NDI election monitoring team to Liberia, was speaking during a press conference in Monrovia Thursday to present the preliminary report of the institute on the October 10 presidential and legislative elections. He indicated that the elections were peaceful and the polls generally well-conducted, adding that at every polling place NDI visited they saw voters determined to cast their ballots and shape Liberia's future. He noted that the NDI delegation was impressed by the enthusiastic participation of voters across the country many of whom waited patiently in long lines to cast their ballots. 2 / 7
He said the delegation observed poll officials work diligently all day in most locations amid the numerous challenges the electoral process presented on elections day. The Carter Center urged Liberians to continue to participate in the ongoing democratic process in a peaceful manner as the National Elections Commission (NEC) carries out its work to deliver final election results. Given the unprecedented nature of this election, it has been accompanied by heightened anxieties about the potentials for conflict, the Center said, noting that The days ahead will offer a crucial test of candidates commitment to preserving the peace. In its preliminary statement on the General and Presidential Elections released in Monrovia Thursday, the Center said that Liberian people expect and have the right to leadership that will not sacrifice the peace that Liberians have worked so hard to sustain. The Center observed that the overall electoral day was peaceful although its observers did report that in some precincts there was confusion that resulted in extremely long lines and delayed ability of some Liberians to cast their ballots. 3 / 7
The ECOWAS elections observer mission to Liberia, for its part, urged the National Elections Commission (NEC) to approach the final phases of the elections with fairness, openness and transparency until the proclamation of the final results. Former Ghanaian president John Mahama, head of the ECOWAS observer team, made the statement at a press conference in Monrovia on Thursday presenting the sub-regional organization s preliminary report. Mahama added that NEC should work diligently and expedite action on the proclamation of the provisional results to prevent anxiety within the public and to uphold the professionalism demonstrated throughout the electoral process. The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) petitioned the Liberian Government to consider passing laws and implementing measures that will increase the political participation of disadvantage groups in the country. EISA has proposed that such legislation should proffer opportunities such as reserved seats for women, youth and people with disabilities in the House of Representatives, noting that such recommendation is in line with international protocols. 4 / 7
EISA has also called on government to consider passing legislation or amending existing ones to provide for the conduct of elections during the dry season as opposed to the rainy season. In its preliminary statement on the October 10 Presidential and Legislative Elections in Liberia released in Monrovia Thursday, the group in several recommendations also urged government to take initiatives to engage the youths to instill the values of democratic political culture in the form of long-term citizenship education. The African Union (AU) liaison office in Liberia welcomed the peaceful holding of the elections in Liberia and congratulated the people of Liberia who turned out enthusiastically in high numbers to vote. We also commend the efforts of the National Elections Commission (NEC), security institutions and all local and international stakeholders involved in the elections, the AU said. It noted that the supportive role of political parties, as partners of the NEC, was very important 5 / 7
in ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair and credible. We wish, therefore, to urge all political parties, partisans and citizenry alike to remain patient and wait for the elections results to be released by the NEC. In particular, we urge political parties to bring any issues of concern or contention to NEC s attention, before raising them through the media. We wish to also remind the political parties and the citizenry of their patriotic and civic responsibility to ensure that peace, stability and respect for the process are maintained, it said. In a statement, the United Nations Secretary-General welcomed the peaceful holding of the presidential and House of Representatives elections in Liberia on 10 October. He congratulated the people of Liberia who turned out enthusiastically in high numbers to vote. The Secretary-General commended the efforts of the NEC and security institutions for this important milestone in the history of Liberia. 6 / 7
He also commended Liberian women s groups for their active and important role in the electoral process as well as international and national observers who have also provided important contributions. The Secretary-General reiterated the continued support of the United Nations to the consolidation of peace and democracy in Liberia. FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/RTY/GABON 2017 Copyright Infosplusgabon 7 / 7