“ECC commends the NEC so far for the level of transparency in the tallying process and condemns disruptions at the tallying centers in Nimba and Montserrado Counties”
The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) commends the National Elections Commission for the level of transparency in tallying the election results thus far and this adds value to the credibility of the outcome. The ECC urge the NEC to scale up the announcement of results and to pronounce cumulative percentages acquired by each political party of the total valid votes that are announced each day.
At the same time, the ECC condemns disruptions of the tallying centers in Sanniquellie, Nimba County and at the SKD Sports Complex in Montserrado County. In Nimba County, the ECC observer reported that Mr. Garrison Yealue, Chairperson of the Governance Commission appeared at the Magisterial Office with seven vehicles containing supporters of the CDC to file a complaint. ECC observer reported that some of his supporters attempted to enter the tallying center and their presence disrupted the tallying proceeding. This led to the suspension of the process for several hours during the day which compelled national and international observers to leave the center. The situation was brought under control with reinforcement from the Joint Security Taskforce.
At the SKD Sports Complex, ECC observers reported that the tallying process was abruptly disrupted allegedly by supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change. The disruption lasted for three hours (7pm-10pm) and the scale of the interference placed the lives of the observers at risk. As of this morning, the tallying had resumed at the two centers.
These incidents are calculated attempts to interfere with the tallying process, to undermine the credibility of the election results and to compromise the integrity of the outcome of the elections. The ECC wishes to remind all political actors of the US Government Visa Sanction to target individuals who interfere with the election process.
In view of the above:
- The ECC calls on the Minister of Justice, as head of the Joint Security Taskforce, to instruct the Liberia National Police to arrest individuals who were linked to the disruption of the tallying process.
- The ECC calls on the Liberia National Police to be more vigilant and to reinforce its presence at all of the tallying centers across the country to avoid any further disruption of the tallying process.
About ECC
The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) is Liberia’s largest domestic election observation network with diverse competencies, experiences, and expertise in democracy, elections, and governance established since 2010. ECC members include the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG); Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP); Center for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding (CECPAP); Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD); Naymote Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD); West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP), and the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL). The ECC election observation effort is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). “The contents of this update are the responsibility of the ECC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.”
Download a copy of the ECC’s release here: Tallying Disruption Statement