IPNews-Monrovia:Polls are now opened in the Liberia’s capital, Monrovia—in what observers anticipate to a be highly contested midterm senatorial election.

In the Monrovia, polls opened at 8:00 A.M., with virtually empty queues.

Liberians are expected to go to vote for 15 senators and two representatives.

They are to also vote in an eight count referendum which calls for dual citizenship; reduction of thr presidency from six years to five years; senators from nine to 7 years and representatives from 6 to five years.

Another important preposition is the rescheduling of elections from rainy season in October to November. In addition to that, there will be reduction in the tenure of the speaker and deputy speaker as well as the president pro-tempore.

Several Liberians see this election today as crucial in the sustenance of Liberia’s young democracy following the handover of power from Africa’s first female president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to former football icon George Manneh Weah.

At least 200 international observers are in the country to observe today’s elections. Observers from the ECOWAS , EU, AU, Carter Center, the International Democratic Institute; and several international journalists began arriving in the country since Sunday, December 6, 2020.

Ahead of today’s election, Liberia’s president George Weah in a national address aired on state Radio ELBC late Monday, called on all Liberians to vote peacefully and cautioned state security to ensure the safety of all Liberians.

President Weah encouraged Liberians to maintain the peace and repel acts of electoral violence in the country.

Early sunday, members of the international community warned that it will not tolerate acts of violence and called on political actors to respect the rule of law and channel elections dispute through legal avenues that will safeguard the peace.

The international community reminded political actors about the resources used in returning and maintaining Liberia’s peace.

Currently IPNews team early this morning noticed the deployment of elections materials heavily guarded by police and international observers.

There is huge security deployment ongoing across Liberia’s capital with smooth start to the polls across the country, reported by our reporters inother counties.

For more on today’s elections coverage, login to www. Independentprobe.com and all our social media platforms: twitter, LinkedIn, imo, Instagram,WhatsApp,messenger and Facebook for on the spot coverage.