Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Liberia have raised concerns over the slow pace of election result counting and reporting by the National Election Commission (NEC) as the country awaits announcement of the winner of the 10 October polls.
Development Diaries reports that the coalition highlighted multiple post-election challenges faced despite acknowledging the successful and peaceful participation of Liberians in the electoral process.
The coalition consisted of the Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL), and the Organisation for Women and Children (ORWOCH).
Liberians cast their votes to elect the president, vice president, and federal lawmakers.
However, NEC has yet to announce the winner after one week.
According to the group of CSOs, the unexplainable delays in announcing results from District Eight in Montserrado County, District Two in Maryland County, and District Four in Grand Bassa County could lead to speculation and allegations of misconduct or foul play.
Also, there are concerns that the reports of violence and disturbances at tallying centres in Montserrado and Nimba counties could be perceived as an attempt to manipulate the transparency and independence of the vote-counting process.
Some candidates and political parties are also prematurely declaring themselves as winners, a move that could incite violence among their supporters.
These could potentially undermine the integrity of the elections if they are not urgently addressed.
The NEC must, as a matter of urgency, enhance its efficiency in counting and reporting election results while respecting the time announced for daily press conferences.
Political parties and their candidates must also respect electoral rules and guidelines and refrain from actions that could undermine the credibility of the elections or incite violence.
Photo source: Brittany Danisch