Liberia Elections: International community will hold perpetrators of instability accountable
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has cautioned that the international community will not hesitate to hold any stakeholder in the Liberia General Elections accountable for actions that may lead to violence and instability.
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"The ECOWAS Commission further cautions all stakeholders, including political leaders as well as the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Security services of Liberia that ECOWAS, the AU [African Union], and the international community will hold them accountable for any actions that may lead to violence and instability," it said in a statement issued in Liberia.
The statement said the ECOWAS Commission's attention has been drawn to attempts by some Liberian stakeholders to declare premature victories or put undue pressure on the NEC.
October 10
Liberians went to the polls on October 10 to elect a president from a list of 20 candidates, including President George Weah, who is seeking re-election. As of October 14, the NEC has collated 39.85% of the total votes. The election management body has 15 days after the day of the election to declare results.
All nineteen NEC Magistrates (regional offices) are collectively collating results from the presidential, senatorial, and House of Representatives polls from 5,890 polling places (polling stations) These are sent to the national headquarters for daily announcements by members of the commission, which is broadcast live to the nation.
Farmington River Declaration
The ECOWAS Commission said it appreciates and commends the people of Liberia for a peaceful voting process on Election Day and calls on them to continue to exercise maximum restraint as they wait for official provisional results from the NEC.
The ECOWAS Commission reminded the political parties and their leaders of their commitments under the revised Farmington River Declaration on the peaceful electoral process, which was endorsed by the ECOWAS Commission and the United Nations.
It reiterated the need for Liberians to remember the invaluable role West Africa played in Liberia's conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, including the loss of lives of ECOWAS Community citizens.
"The Commission further reminds them of the important role the United Nations and international partners have equally played in post-conflict Liberia, including in the current electoral process," the statement said.
The ECOWAS Commission admonished all Liberian stakeholders to abide by the democratic tenets of a peaceful and credible electoral process provided for by the Liberian Constitution and other relevant laws, as well as ECOWAS legal instruments, specifically the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.