Security Council Press Statement on Elections in Liberia

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Sebastiano Cardi (Italy):

The members of the Security Council congratulated the Liberian people and Government as well as political leaders, civil society organizations, and the media, for the peaceful conduct of October 10 presidential and House of Representative elections.  They commended international partners and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for their support in elections preparation, and applauded the role of international, regional, and domestic election observation missions for their contributions to the transparency of the electoral process.  They also commended Liberia’s National Elections Commission’s conduct of an expeditious tallying process and timely announcement of results.

The members of the Security Council commended the Government of Liberia, political parties, and the National Elections Commission for the use of established legal mechanisms to address complaints over the conduct of the October 10 election.  The members of the Security Council called on Liberian claimants and institutions to resolve any disputes, including pending litigation, in an appropriate, fair, transparent, and expeditious manner with a view to permit the timely conclusion of Liberia’s electoral process and a peaceful transition of power to a new President in accordance with timelines outlined in Liberia’s Constitution.  The members of the Security Council called upon leaders of all political parties to continue to refrain from incitement of followers toward any violent action.

The members of the Security Council noted the importance of a credible and peaceful second round presidential election and called upon Liberians to ensure the elections are free, fair, credible, and transparent, including through the full participation of women.  The members of the Security Council reiterated that the responsibility for the preparation, security and conduct of free, fair and transparent elections rests with the Liberian authorities.  They also reiterated their call on international partners to continue to support the Liberian authorities, including through deployment of international electoral observers, with a view to ensuring the credibility of the second round of elections.