IPNews-Monrovia,Liberia-27 April 2018:The European Union Election Observation Mission to Liberia (EU EOM) has lavished praises the political structure of Liberia.
The EU in its final assessment report released following the 2017 Presidential elections held in Liberia which brought the presidency former World Football great, now President George M. Weah, proffered 23 key recommendations.
EU Chief Observer Maria Arena , stated at a news conference held on Thursday, April 26,2018, that the 2017 elections marked a defining moment in the strengthening of Liberia’s democratic institutions.
Maria Arena: “ The results of the 2017 general and Presidential elections demonstrated in Liberia, remain the cautiousness of the world in the process of transitioning from a post conflict country to a more peaceful and democratic political environment which is characterized with degree of maturity towards democratic governance.”
The EU Diplomat said Liberia has proven to other countries in the region that democratic transition is possible, something they too can do.
She said the final report notes that despite the delay experienced in the holding of the presidential run-off, the election resulted in the first transfer of power from one elected government to another through a competitive multi-party system.
“While a number of complaints filed in the wake of first round stalled the election process, giving rise to a period of uncertainty, political parties repeatedly called on their supporters, during the resolution of electoral disputes to remain law-abiding and patient.
This bolstered the commitment of Liberian voters and citizens to the rule of law, which allowed for the conclusion of a peaceful voting exercise,” Madam Arena noted.
Madam Arena further said of the 23 recommendations, six are offered as priority recommendations.
Reform proposals suggested by the observation mission include removal of the ethnic definition of Liberian citizenship; a review of the constitutional time line for handling electoral complaints, adoption of a voter registration system based on a reliable civil register; further enabling opportunities to vote for citizens including persons turning eighteen, detainees and the hospitalized; measures for enhanced women’s participation and extending domestic observation to the whole electoral cycle to reinforce the role of civil society in monitoring and reform of the electoral process.
For his part, Deputy Chief of EU EOM Alessendro Parziale said 2017 elections were a success story for Liberia considering what the country went through during the civil upheaval.
He said the recommendations are intended to improve the holding of future elections, thereby avoiding some of the mistakes that were made.
Parziale said “these elections are positive step to Liberia’s democracy.”
He hopes that the recommendations will be used by the Liberian authorities for the good of holding internationally standardized elections.
