| All Set For Run-off - New NEC Boss Assures |
| Published on November 02, 2011 | Email To Friend Print Version
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The Acting Chairman of the National Election Commission (NEC) Cllr. Elizabeth B. Nelson yesterday made her first official statement, informing the Liberian people that all is now set for the November 8, 2011 presidential runoff between the ruling Unity Party (UP) and the main opposition Congress for democratic Change (CDC).
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed Cllr. Nelson to act as chair of the Commission after its head Cllr. James Fromayan resigned Sunday, after sending an inconsistent letter to the CDC – in which the NEC informed the party it won the highest number of votes in the first round of the election instead of the UP.
Addressing reporters yesterday art the Commission's headquarters in Sinkor, Cllr. Nelson said “with respect to the status of the scheduled November 8, 2011 Presidential run-off, the National Elections Commission wishes to state that it is fully prepared to conduct the run-off as required by the article 83 (b) of the Constitution of Liberia.”
“Therefore,” she said, “I am pleased to announce that all necessary materials are in place, polling staff training has been conducted, the movement of sensitive and none sensitive materials to NEC warehouses in the South East Counties have been completed while the movement of other sensitive materials is currently underway.”
Civic and voter education activities, she disclosed, are being conducted throughout the country, and new observers groups are being accredited.
“Therefore, I wish to encourage the - Unity Party (UP) and the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) to fully participate in the contest,” she continued. “The Commission also wishes to urge all supporters of these parties and the Liberian people to maintain the same level of discipline as demonstrated during the October 11 elections to ensure a peaceful Election Day on November 8.”
She said the commission received some 54 complaints after the October 11 polling and these complaints are being looked into. “After the October 11, 2011 elections, NEC received a total of 54 complaints. Of this number, all have been disposed off, except 16 which are currently being investigated.”
She said her former boss, Fromayan, voluntarily resigned from his post last Sunday, October 30, 2011 “in the best interest of peace and stability in Liberia.”
Following his resignation, under authority of Section 2.11 of the New Elections Law of Liberia the President appointed her as Acting Chairperson of the Commission and Commissioner Jonathan K. Weedor as Acting Co-Chairman.
“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and NEC staff, I wish to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Fromayan for his tremendous contributions to the NEC and good leadership exhibited during his tenure,” she said of her former chief.
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