Accra, Oct 23, GNA – The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has commended the National Electoral Commission of Liberia (NEC), political parties, observers, and all stakeholders for ensuring a peaceful election on October 10.
WADEMOS in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency extoled the civility and discipline demonstrated by Liberians as they showed up in large numbers across the country to vote during the elections.
On October 10, Liberia held its fourth successive election since 2005.
The statement said as the country headed for a runoff following the announcement by the NEC that no candidate met the 50 per cent plus one threshold, the Network entreated Liberians to remain calm and ensure respect for the electoral laws and regulations before, during, and after the runoff on November 7, 2023.
WADEMOS is a non-partisan, independent civil society-led transnational democracy solidarity network.
The WADEMOS Network consists of over 30 civil society organizations (CSOs) located in 15 countries in West Africa.
The statement said WADEMOS joined other international observer missions to commend the national security agencies for stepping up to the task and delivering an election that was generally recognized as peaceful notwithstanding a few instances of reported violence.
It said ahead of the election, security of polls was of major concern being the first election in which the Liberian security agencies had complete control of security.
The statement said the Coalition of CSOs also applauded the NEC for the early opening of polling places and precincts.
It said despite this, they shared in the concerns raised in the preliminary observations and findings made by international observers about the long queues that incited voter agitation in a few instances.
“We firmly believe that collaborating with and supporting the work of civil society organizations can significantly contribute to helping Liberia develop its fledgling democracy,” the statement said.
“To this end, we appreciate the opportunity and collaboration received from all stakeholders during the Network’s pre-election and election day activities in Liberia.
“Particularly, we acknowledge the solidarity and support extended to the team by the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC), a coalition of CSOs in Liberia.”
It noted that with barely two weeks to go until the run-off, WADEMOS urged the NEC to sustain the commitment it had demonstrated to transparency and electoral integrity, and appealed to all stakeholders, especially the political parties, to resort to appropriate procedures to have their grievances resolved.
GNA