Liberian Senate praises NEC On the Conduct of Elections

On the conduct of what has been considered by many across the globe as one of the freest, fair and transparent elections in the world, the Liberian Senate has hailed the National Elections Commission (NEC).

In a statement delivered by the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Albert Tugbe Chie on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 upon the return of the 54^th Legislature from electoral break, he expressed thanks and appreciation to the Chair, other members of the Board of Commissioners, staff, employees and temporary workers of NEC for a job well done in conducting the 2023 elections in a fair and transparent manner.

With the result already declared by the country’s electoral management body, Pro-temp Chie, on behalf of the Liberian on behalf of the Liberian Senate, congratulated former Vice President and President of the Senate Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Senator Jeremiah Kpan Koung, for their election as President and Vice President respectively.

The head of the Senate urged President-Elect Boakai and Vice President-Elect Koung to design and implement policies to heal the nation which has sustained wounds by the rigors and rhetoric of the electoral process and an evenly divided country which has witnessed an almost 50-50 Presidential Elections result.

Pro-Tempore Chie also lauded President George Manneh Weah for adhering to the true tenet of democracy by conceding defeat to his rival, something which he said caused the tension and anxiety which had built up in the country before last Friday's announcement of the elections result to have dissipated.

“This has paved the way for yet another peaceful transfer of power in Liberia, which peaceful transfer continues to dodge many African Countries. All of us in this Senate are national leaders and belong to different political parties; but witnessed the very competitive nature of the Presidential elections. The final results of the Presidential elections are so close that a Government of inclusion with a significant amount of appointed positions going to the CDC which ended up witha whopping 49.36% of the final votes will be a prudent way to help in national reconciliation,” asserted the Pro-Tempore Chie.

Meanwhile, Pro-Tempore Chie has urged members of the Liberian Legislature to first negotiate the leadership positions that are at stake as a first resort, with a full fledge competitive open election being the last option.

“Our fellow citizens: In keeping with our new Legislative Calendar, the Senate will be in session until Friday, December 8 to continue work and deliberation on the agenda items which we previously agreed and other items that may surface from the Senate floor or from the Executive Branch. After that we will return on January 15, 2024 in line with Article 32 of the Constitution to begin the first session of the 55th Legislature and get ready to participate in the inauguration of the next President on January 22, 2024 in line with Article 50. We expect the President to present his legislative agenda for the year to the Legislature on January 29. Let me once more thank all Liberians for a peaceful election and may

God continue to guide us and protect our country,” added Pro-Tempore Chie.