Africa-Press – Liberia. The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) has lauded Nimba and Grand Gedeh for the mature and peaceful conduct of the Tuesday, April 23, by-elections held in both counties.
ECC, the largest local elections observation group, on Friday, April 26 released its final report on the 2024 Senatorial and Representatives by-elections in Nimba County and District#1 in Grand Gedeh County.
The ECC chair, Oscar Bloh, stated that in the lead-up to the elections, citizens of the two counties demonstrated a clear commitment to the democratic process.
“The ECC commends the voters of Nimba and Grand Gedeh for peaceful participation in the concluded senatorial and Representative By-elections,” said Bloh.
Speaking at a press conference last weekend, Bloh said, the ECC noted the slow but steady pace at which voters turned out in both counties. “As part of its observation mission, ECC staff attended campaign rallies in both Nimba and Grand Gedeh and did not record any incidents of violence,” said Bloh.
Following days of observation across the two counties, and in line with its usual practice, the ECC is now pleased to present its findings and recommendations.
“We are pleased to make the following preliminary recommendations based on our observers’ findings,” said Bloh.
The four priority recommendations point to the need for the National Elections Commission (NEC, to the National Election Commission: treat all electoral disputes equally, and inform the public in a timely manner of any challenge hindering the announcement of the final results.
As for political parties and independent candidates, Bloh said, “If any political party or independent candidate has grievances on the outcome of the results, they are encouraged to follow the due process of law and refrain from inciting their supporters to violence.”
Key Findings
Based on reports from ECC observers, voters in Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties turned out peacefully to vote. ECC received no reports of incidents that undermined the conduct of the elections. Unlike the recent presidential run-off election where overcrowding was reported at many precincts, observers in Nimba and Grand Gedeh reported a low turnout of voters, thereby posing no problem for queue management. Furthermore, ECC commends the NEC for the timely delivery of election materials to all polling places in the two counties.
Arrival at Polling Places
All ECC observers were permitted to access and observe at assigned polling places and voting precincts. Security presence was observed at polling places observed.
Opening of Polls
ECC observers reported that voting commenced on time. Before 8:00 a.m., observers reported that 42% of polling places had opened for voting, and between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m., the remaining 58% of observed polling places opened.
Additionally, in 96% of observed polling places, party agents were present at the opening of polls
Polling Place Set-Up
ECC observers reported that all observed polling places had the required sensitive voting materials available, including the Final Registration Roll, ballot papers, indelible ink, the official ballot stamp, tactile ballot guide, and accounting forms. In addition, an average of five NEC staff members were present, with two or more women polling officials on each team during the setup. ECC observers also noted the presence of other observers and media representatives at the opening of the polls.
In 17% of observed polling places, voters needed to use stairs to access the polling area, which potentially poses a challenge to persons with disabilities or the elderly.
In 100% of observed polling places, the ballot box was shown to be empty and sealed with four seals before voting began.
Voting Process
Following the set-up and opening of polls, ECC observers traveled between voting precincts and polling places to observe the voting. Observers reported using an observation checklist and sent reports through coded text messages to a central database system at designated times of the day.
At observed precincts and polling places, ECC observers noted that poll workers generally followed voting procedures and had no problem with queue control due to the slow pace at which voters turn out to vote.
In 100% of polling places and precincts observed, voters were asked to present their voter registration (VR) card before voting. Additionally, ECC observers noted the inking of voters’ fingers after voting in all observed places.
ECC observers also reported that ballot papers were stamped before being handed to the voter and that voting booths were available, guaranteeing the secrecy of the vote in all observed polling places.
In all observed places, no tension, violence, or disruption during voting was reported, and observers noted the professional manner in which security officers conducted themselves.
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