Liberia Presidential Runoff: Ecowas Election Observers Meet Stakeholders

On Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), Prof. Attahiru Jega, arrived in Monrovia, Liberia.

During his visit, he engaged with various stakeholders involved in the upcoming Presidential Runoff Election, scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

On Friday, November 10, 2023, Prof. Attahiru Jega held consecutive meetings with key figures, including Mr. Frank Musa Dean Jr, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Liberia.

Mrs. Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, President of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), representatives from civil society, and the ECOWAS Technical Team.

Liberia Presidential Runoff: What ECOWAS Discussed with Stakeholders

The discussions during these meetings focused on the preparations for the polls and the challenges associated with ensuring a peaceful, free, transparent, and credible electoral process.

On the morning of Saturday, November 11, 2023, Prof. Attahiru Jega convened with ECOWAS Short-Term Observers.

Those in attendance include Dr. Abdul-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

Also, Mr Abdou Kolley, Director of the Cabinet of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, and Ambassador Josephine NKRUMAH, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia were present.

Also in attendance are members of the ECOWAS Parliament, the ECOWAS Permanent Representative Committee, and the ECOWAS Council of Wise.

During his address to the ECOWAS observers, Prof. Attahiru Jega emphasized the importance of executing their duties in compliance with existing electoral legal frameworks and international standards.

He urged them to refrain from interference in the electoral process and encouraged the application of the skills and tools acquired through their training.

Also, he solicited recommendations from the observers to enhance both the electoral process and the ECOWAS election observation mission.

Ambassador Josephine NKRUMAH, in her earlier address to the observers, provided insights into the current political and electoral context surrounding the upcoming polls.

She also offered background information on the electoral campaign atmosphere preceding the elections.

Furthermore, she briefed the observers on the NEC's deployment plan for electoral materials and the security arrangements in place.

Dr. Abdul-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of ECOWAS, expressed satisfaction with the distinguished profile of the ECOWAS Electoral Mission observers.

While emphasizing the importance of objectivity and impartiality, he urged the observers to submit timely reports based on their field observations to contribute to the comprehensive mission report.