As counting continues in the just concluded presidential run-off elections in Liberia, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observer Mission to Liberia has expressed concern over provocative statements and alleged planned conferences by political actors to prematurely declare victory in the ongoing electoral processes.
In a statement jointly endorsed by the Head of the ECOWAS Observer Mission and former chairman of Nigeria’s Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, and the Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security for ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa, the mission appealed to the candidates, political parties and their supporters and all stakeholders to “exercise maximum restraint and patiently await the official declaration of the results of the elections by the National Elections Commission (NEC), which is the sole organ mandated by law to do so.”
The Mission also called on candidates, their political alliances, and supporters to “be guided by the spirit of national unity and adhere to the expressed commitments made within the framework of the Revised Farmington River Declaration”, signed by all parties. It warned “individuals or groups that they would be held solely accountable for any acts that may lead to violence and undermine the hard-earned peace and stability of Liberia.”
Observers say the commission’s warning is an important step in forestalling potential conflict that could erupt due to the spread of false information under such a volatile environment, which has been a major challenge faced during elections in the region. Attempts at undermining the legitimate channels for the announcement of election results have been known to provoke serious disruptions to public peace and create crises.
The opposition Unity Party (UP), in a swift intervention to avoid a potential provocation, expressed regret for a recent Facebook post in which it said its campaign spokesperson, Mr. Mohammed Ali, wrongly accused the ECOWAS of having received money to compromise its neutral role in the electoral process.
This assertion, it said in a statement, “was at no time sanctioned by the UP, our standard bearer or campaign team. It should be noted that the UP does recognise and value the indispensable role that ECOWAS has played in Liberia’s rebirth and renewal.”
Liberians await announcement of the final results of an election that has been described as one of the most closely contested in the country’s electoral history.
