ECOWAS observers led by ex-Ghana president Mahama praise Liberia's EC

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has praised the level of preparation of Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) ahead of Tuesday’s polls.

Ghana’s former president John Dramani Mahama, who is leading a 71-member ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, praised the NEC for the timely distribution of election materials and the good relationship it has with the parties.

He said a positive outcome of the election will consolidate Africa’s democracy due to Liberia’s historical significance.

Mahama and the ECOWAS mission have been in Monrovia since last week to observe the elections which has been touted to be free and fair.

About half a dozen other observer missions are in the country including the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), Carter Center and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) who have deployed observers across the country.

The NEC Chairman Jerome George Korkoya assured the observer missions that they are prepared for the elections and any eventualities that come with it.

He added that they are prepared to deal with any dispute as 19 magistrates and 4 regional coordinators have been trained to handle cases at the county level, while extra lawyers have been hired to handle appeals.

He reminded the political parties that the electoral commission is where to channel grievances before seeking final redress at the Supreme Court.

Polls open between 0800 GMT and 1800 GMT on October 10. Over two million people are expected to vote at 5,390 voting centers and 2080 voting precincts in all the 15 counties.

The final results will be announced on October 25.