The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA)-International Election Observer Mission [EISA-IEOM] commends the National Elections Commission (NEC) and its Chairperson, Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, for completing its mandate to conduct the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections in Liberia.
EISA extends its congratulations to President-elect Joseph Nyumah Boakai as he prepares to assume the highest office in the land and applauds President George Manneh Weah for his statesmanship by conceding defeat and calling on Liberians to foster unity and peace.
Liberian citizens reaffirmed their commitment to democracy during the period between the Presidential run-off and the final announcement of results by maintaining law and order, the group said.
EISA commends the NEC for conducting the 2023 elections in a challenging context with independence, impartiality, and transparency, paving the way for a continuation of participatory democracy in Liberia.
The NEC demonstrated a high level of transparency throughout each stage of the process, from the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) to a meticulous vote tabulation and collation process and publication of the official results.
The NEC’s prudent decision to quarantine results from polling stations in Grand Kru County and conduct a rerun in Nimba County is commendable, as it ensured that every vote cast was transparently accounted for.
While this decision led to a delay in finalizing the official results, Liberians remained calm and orderly while awaiting the results.
EISA urges all political parties to work together to facilitate a smooth transition of power.
“The Liberian people have demonstrated remarkable patience throughout this protracted electoral process and deserve a government that represents all Liberians and works collaboratively to move the country forward.
To the newly elected representatives, EISA reminds them of the great faith placed in them by the Liberian voters, and calls on each elected official to uphold the highest standards in the fulfilment of their constitutional mandate.
EISA emphasizes the urgent need for key leaders in Liberia to bridge these divides and prioritize comprehensive electoral reforms in advance of the next election.
