By our Reporter
Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has spoken of “uncertainty” in in the ongoing electoral and transitional process, but is commending her citizens for their “patience and peaceful demeanor” so far.
In a broadcast address to the nation on Tuesday, Africa’s first elected female President said:
“As we go through this time of uncertainty in our electoral process, awaiting the country’s historical presidential transition, I commend you for your patience, and your peaceful demeanor.”
The Liberian leader’s speech came just 24 hours after the country’s Supreme Court called off the November 7 presidential runoff election. It ordered the National Elections Commission to investigate complaint of alleged massive fraud and irregularities in a writ of prohibition case by the opposition Liberty Party (LP) of Charles Brumskine.
President Sirleaf said Liberia’s laws and democratic institutions are strong; they will withstand this challenge, and they will stand the test of time.
“We can strengthen them by demonstrating maturity, and not abuse our positions or misuse the platforms that have been made available to the Country through news media and new technology.” She urged Liberians to continue to respect each other, the rule of law, human kindness and decency. “Allegations, hate speech, inciting language has been defining what should be a proud moment in our history,” she pointed out.
She said she was glad that all political parties have agreed consistently and publicly to adhere to the provisions provided under our laws; noting these provisions include the right to challenge, through an established and orderly process, the voting and electoral arrangements that have been put in place.
President Sirleaf said democracy is only as strong as its weakest link and at these moments, our democracy is under assault; our country’s reputation is under assault while our economy is under stress.
“We politicians must do better; Our people went the distance; We achieved 73 percent voters’ turnout demonstrating confidence in our electoral process and the future of our country.”
According to President Sirleaf, ‘historians will look back at this time and judge us by how we conduct ourselves at this critical moment in time.’
She concluded her speech by reminding the nation that, “we cannot fail them; We cannot damage our future and prayed that God saves and protect our State.”
Tuesday, November 7, 2017 was the day the National Elections Commission had set aside for the runoff between former football star, Senator George Weah of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and President Sirleaf’s Vice President, Joseph Boakai, of the ruling Unity Party (UP).
But that timeline was not to be.
Boakai’s UP last week launched a strong attack on Sirleaf, linking her to alleged vote rigging and irregularities in the October 10 polls and issuing a vote of no confidence in her credibility and that of NEC to manage the electoral transition in an even handed manner.
In fact, UP and Benonai Urey’s All Liberian Party (ALP) in a joint statement announced their backing for the Liberty Party’s legal challenge against the first round election results.
Since 1944, Liberia has never seen a peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected president to another elected president. And if the ongoing electoral confusion can be resolved in time, Article 50 of the Liberian constitution requires that it takes place in January.
(Article 50) “The Executive Power of the Republic shall be vested in the President who shall be Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. The president shall be elected by universal adult suffrage of registered voters in the Republic and shall hold office for a term of six years commencing at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year immediately following the elections. No person shall serve as President for more than two terms,” the constitution says.