Monrovia, Liberia – A coalition of prominent civil society organizations (CSOs) in Liberia, including the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL), and the Organization for Women and Children (ORWOCH), among others, gathered in Monrovia today to express their views and concerns regarding the ongoing electoral process in Liberia.
The CSOs acknowledged the successful and peaceful participation of Liberian citizens in the October 10, 2023 elections, during which they elected leaders, including the president, vice president, senators, and representatives. They commended the voters for their dedication to shaping the future of their nation despite past leadership shortcomings.
While noting the peaceful nature of the voting process, the CSOs expressed concerns about several issues that have emerged during the post-election period. One primary concern is the slow pace of counting and announcing the election results. They emphasized the need for greater efficiency in tallying and reporting the results, particularly in easily accessible areas. Delays in announcing results and a confrontational approach taken by National Elections Commission (NEC) Commissioners when interacting with journalists were noted as causes for concern.
The CSOs further raised questions about the unexplained delays in announcing final results from specific districts, including electoral district 8 in Montserrado County, District 2 in Maryland County, and District 4 in Grand Bassa County. They expressed that these delays could lead to speculation and allegations of misconduct or foul play, potentially undermining the integrity of the elections.
Furthermore, the CSOs highlighted reports of violence and disturbances at tallying centers in Montserrado and Nimba Counties, allegedly involving supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). This was considered deeply troubling, as it could be perceived as attempts to manipulate the transparency and independence of the vote-counting process. The CSOs also expressed concern over some candidates and political parties prematurely declaring themselves as winners, a move that could incite violence among their supporters.
In response to these concerns, the CSOs provided a set of recommendations:
Recommendations:
For the National Elections Commission (NEC):
Enhance efficiency in counting and reporting election results while respecting the time announced for daily press conferences.
Display understanding and empathy when addressing concerns from journalists.
Enforce the guidelines and regulations governing elections, including sanctions against candidates and political parties violating established laws.
Provide clear explanations to the public regarding reasons for delays in accessible locations.
For Political Parties and Independent Candidates:
Respect electoral rules and guidelines and refrain from actions that could undermine the credibility of the elections or incite violence.
For Stakeholders and Other Civil Society Organizations:
Continue to engage with the electoral process in collaboration with the NEC to ensure a free, transparent, and credible process.
The CSOs concluded their statement by calling on all candidates, political parties, and the general public to remain calm, peaceful, tolerant, and closely observe the ongoing electoral process. They urged individuals and groups with grievances to address them through established mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law to preserve peace during these critical elections.
The CSOs reaffirmed their commitment to inclusiveness, transparency, fairness, and integrity in the electoral process, encouraging all stakeholders to do the same. The joint statement was signed by representatives from various civil society organizations, emphasizing their collective dedication to the democratic future of Liberia.