-Thanks NEC for Peaceful, Transparent Conduct of October 10 Elections
By Taisiah Merfee
IPNEWS – Liberian Democratic Watch (LDW) is urging the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and opposition Unity Party (UP) to commit to maintaining Liberia’s peace and democracy by embracing the spirit of unity and diversity during and after the Presidential Runoff schedule for Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday, November 9, at the LDW office in Monrovia, LDW Executive Director, Mustapha N. Kanneh said that it’s important that both parties that made it to the runoff sensitize their supporters about the sustainability of Liberia’s peace and democracy.
According to him, results from the October 10 polls show that no Presidential candidate was able to obtain 50 percent plus one vote to be declared outright winner on the first ballot as stipulated in the Liberian Constitution.
Accordingly, Kanneh noted that this forced the election to go to a runoff between the two candidates with the highest percentage of votes cast in the first round, namely President George M. Weah and Amb. Joseph N. Boakai.
“As we move forward to the run-off election, the LDW urges both candidates to commit to peace by embracing the spirit of unity in diversity and refrain their supporters from all forms of electoral violence during and after the process as well as respect the will of the electorates,” he urged.
Kanneh also extended congratulations to all those elected as leaders during the just ended October 10 polls as well as warned the newly-elected representatives and senators to serve with diligence, dignity and integrity, and avoid the trappings of the past including bad governance, nepotism, tribalism, corruption, and impunity.
“LDW urges them to foster good governance, restore the rule of law, and yield to the cry of Liberians for justice by fully implementing the recommendations of the TRC accompanied by the ultimate establishment of the war and economic crimes courts to put an end to impunity in the Liberian society,” he stated.
Kanneh then expressed thanks and appreciation to the National Elections Commission (NEC) for their efforts in conducting the elections peacefully thus far despite the enormous challenges, complaints and discrepancies they have been confronted with throughout the electoral process.
Kanneh, a human rights activist, also, extolled international and local stakeholders for their solidarity, support and tireless efforts in ensuring that the first round of the elections was successfully conducted peacefully with transparency and electoral integrity despite the few irregularities.
He also appreciated the Liberian people for their massive turnout during the first phase of the elections, urging them to continue the march for democracy and good governance.
