PHOTO: Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, Justice Minister
Monrovia, Liberia- The head of the joint security and Attorney General Frank Musa Dean on Friday November 10,2023, cautioned heads of political parties and their supporters to refrain from announcing election results as they are not clause with the authority to do so.
Speaking during a news conference at the police headquarters, Justice Minister Dean also warned political actors from celebrating ahead of the final results until the NEC who is authorized constitutionally to announce an election results.
The press conference was attended by the Defense Minister Daniel Ziankahn, AFL chief of staff Major General Prince C. Johnson, Liberia Police Inspector General Patrick Sudue, Liberia Immigration head Robert Buddy, Police 102 Malvin Sackor among others.
The joint security further joined the International community of election observers to thank the Liberian people for their outstanding participation in the first round of these elections held under a very peaceful atmosphere.
According to Minister Dean, the peaceful conduct of Liberians proved that they are convinced and resolved that the only way to determine the leadership of the country is through the democratic process and the government of Liberia remains grateful to its people.
Minister Dean said, subsequently after the first round of the elections, there was a steady stream of baseless, unfounded and alarming stories circulated on social media, suggesting imminent bloodshed and disturbances, inflamed by rumors that were plans afoot to rig the awaited results.
In addition to this tidal wave of disinformation and misinformation and fake news, the joint security received reports of some die-hard party loyalists and extreme thugs who had planned to proceed to various tally centers under the guise of protecting their votes. These accounts also indicated that attacks on high-level individuals, public infrastructure and business houses were highly likely.
The joint security investigated several such controversial assertions, reports and rumors and found them to be utterly untrue, leading to the inference that these fake stories and declarations of election results by individuals and groups ahead of the National Elections Commission were designed and geared at creating fear and confusion in the general population on fostering hate and violence.
Meanwhile, the joint security condemns in the strongest terms all attempts at creating turmoil, anxiety and violence within the nation and cautioned against all acts that have the propensity to fan violence and set into motion actions that threaten Liberia’s peace including the airing of political prejudice that could lead to violent reactions.