ECOWAS Talks Tough on CDC’s Run-Off Vote Boycott In Liberia

 A tough-talking ECOWAS Commission warned Friday that Liberia’s presidential run-off on 8 Nov. will go ahead whether or not the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) takes part.

Reacting to the news that the CDC, led by Winston Tubman, will pull out of the run-off unless the Chairman of the electoral commission, Mr. James Fromayan, is replaced, ECOWAS Commission President James Victor Gbeho said the regional bloc would also recognise the winner of the run-off, provided it is adjudged to be transparent, free and credible.

‘The Commission finally wishes to put on guard all those, who may harbour any temptation to disturb the fragile peace in Liberia, that ECOWAS will participate in taking all appropriate measures under the framework of the United Nations Security Council mandate to preserve stability in the country,’ the Commission President said in a statement issued here Friday and made available to PANA..

The Commission however appealed to the leadership of the CDC, as well as all the other political parties, to place the national interest above all partisan considerations and ensure a peaceful electoral process for the sake of national and regional stability.

‘The Commission further urges all parties with legitimate grievances to seek redress through the laid down legal channels for the resolution of electoral disputes. Failure to pursue this course would mean that the aggrieved parties lack any tangible evidence to
press their cases,’ the statement said

It noted that ECOWAS had made ‘several futile efforts’ to persuade the leadership of the CDC and other opposition parties to remain in the electoral process till its successful conclusion, and to refrain from all acts liable to further destabilize the fragile political and security environment.

Source: PANA