-EISA-IEOM urges Liberians, condemns Nimba, Grand Gedeh Violence
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Electoral Institute for Sustainatble Democracy in Africa – International Election Observation Mission (EISA-IEOM) on November 13, 2023, has urged Liberians to build on the exemplary conduct of the October 10, 2023 elections to ensure that peace continues to rain throughout the elections on Tuesday, November 14 Run-Off elections and during the announcement of provisional and final results.
“As Liberians head to the Presidential Runoff on November 14, 2023, the EISA-IEOM urges citizens from all political backgrounds and affiliations to uphold the exemplary conduct demonstrated during the first-round election on October 10.”
EISA-IEOM intimated that the Presidential and Legislative elections on October 10 received commendation from both international and domestic observer groups for being peaceful, well-administered, credible, and transparent.
Therefore, wants the citizenry to exhibit an attitude that will sustain the peace.
In furtherance, the EISA-IEOM said that though there was limited support from the government and international partners, for the conductivity of the elections, the October 10 elections which fostered a peaceful post-election environment, was managed largely by the National Election Commission and the Joint Security Taskforce Committee,
The observer’s mission’s call comes amidst accusations of irregularities from the two contesting parties, Unity Party (UP) and Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
Stating that it the EISA IEOM has noted unverified claims by both parties which aimed at discrediting the work of democracy-supporting institutions, such as independent international and domestic observer groups.
EISA continues by emphasizing that fake and unverified rumors about election rigging, without substantiating evidence,
can undermine confidence in the electoral process, contribute to heightened political tensions and unrest, and harm the reputation of democratic institutions responsible for overseeing elections.
At the same time, the observer mission strongly condemnf the acts of violence that emerged in District 3 in Nimba County on November 10, 2023,
resulting in injuries to more than five people due to the shooting, and another incident in Grand Gedeh involving
supporters of the UP and CDC on the same day.
EISA says it is concerned about the minimal post-election peace
messaging observable since the announcement of the results and called on Liberians to continue to show the
restraint and calm demonstrated on October 10.
The electoral body says community-level mechanisms is significant to encourage acceptance of results,
community dispute resolution, and physical safety are crucial as the country holds the run-off election.
It continued by reminding Liberians that the gains made so far in consolidating peace and strengthening democracy have come at a significant cost, and any post-election violence would be a major setback for the prosperity and democracy of Liberians.
Therefore, reiterated the recommendations made in all its public reports and analyses, encouraging
Liberian stakeholders to uphold peace and tolerance.
At the same time, the EISA-IEOM called on political parties to adhead to the Farmington agreement and lead by example and also educate their party supporters on the importance of adhering to the Farmington River Declaration principles
“We call on political parties to lead by example and also educate their party supporters on the importance of adhering to the Farmington River Declaration principles.”
The EISA IEOM has been in Liberia since January 2023, observing and reporting on all key electoral activities.
The USAID-funded EISA International Election Observation Mission (EISA-IEOM) Activity seeks to enhance the integrity of the 2023 Liberia Presidential and Legislative elections through the deployment of an independent international election observer mission (EOM) to monitor, assess and report on all phases
of the electoral process in accordance with international and regional benchmarks.
The IEOM is implemented in close coordination with the financial support of USAID/Ieria and will complement the efforts of other electoral stakeholders.
