By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor in Monrovia
The European Union Elections Observation Mission has urged the political parties and officials of the National Elections Commission to keep the positive role and ensure the will of the voters is reflected in the elections result.
According to statement issued, yesterday, October 12, in Monrovia indicates Liberians’ voters have shown their strong desire to be part of the democratic process by participating in great numbers to the polls.
“Political parties and the election administration should keep their positive role and ensure the will of the voters is reflected in the elections results. Also, the notable efforts made by the Liberian observers organizations shows commitment to ensuring the transparency of the elections,” said Maria Arena in the statement, the Chief Observer of the European Union of Election Observation Mission and member of the European Parliament.
The press statement quoted the Chief Observer as saying that the 81 EU election observers reported from over 297 polling places in rural and urban areas in all counties. “Liberians turned out in large numbers already early in the morning. The election day can be described as calm and adequately conducted by the National Elections Commission. Before that, the election campaign was nearly peaceful,” the EU said.
Ms. Arena emphasized that overall Liberia’s legal framework is broadly in line with the country’s international and regional treaty obligations. Ms. Arena said it constitutes an adequate basis for the conduct of democratic elections, albeit room remains for legal procedural improvements.
“While political campaign was calm, the EU Election Observation Mission observed uses of state resources to the advantage of candidates from the incumbent party and a more general uneven playing field for candidates.
The EU pointed out that access to media and possibility chances for candidates, especially female ones.
“It is important to note that the results tabulation is still underway, adding that the European Union Election Observation Mission will remain in the field to observe the process, including the handling of complaint and appeals. We anticipate that all parties will remain committed to use existing judicial mechanisms to channel their eventual complaints on the conduct of the elections,” the statement concluded.
