Liberian Election Commission announces planned presidential run-off – UN

The National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia has released the official and final results of the elections held earlier this month, announcing that a run-off will be necessary between the two leading presidential candidates – Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and George Weah – the United Nations Mission in the country (UNMIL) said today.

At a ceremony in Monrovia, NEC chair Frances Johnson-Morris said the run-off will be held on 8 November. A spokesman for UNMIL said the Chairwoman presented Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf and Mr. Weah with certificates identifying them.

She also announced the results for the Senate and House of Representatives in the new Liberian Legislature and described the outcome of the 11 October elections as "an outstanding achievement by the people of Liberia which has sent a message to the rest of the world that we are united around a common objective of transforming this war-ravaged nation through democratic governance."

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Alan Doss, praised Liberians for demonstrating their readiness "to choose the path to peace."

Speaking at the NEC press conference, Mr. Doss said that in the upcoming campaign period, Liberians will have another opportunity to demonstrate that they can espouse diversity and respect the rule of law. He added that "by doing so, they will show that the politics of ethnic divisiveness, hate and violence have been left in the past."

He urged Liberians to cast their ballots "for peace and for a new Liberia" and pledged the full support of the UN and the international community in this process.

Reminding media practitioners of their special responsibility, Mr. Doss appealed to them to avoid provocative language and to refrain from publicizing unfounded rumours that serve only to inflame communal tensions. He pledged UNMIL's military support, aimed at ensuring that both the campaign and Election Day pass in peace and that all votes are cast in safety and security.

UNMIL spokesman Paul Risley told the UN News Service that the mission's first priority in supporting the Liberian people remains security. "There are real concerns that threats to the security for the upcoming run-off elections may be more prevalent or there may be a greater number of threats than for the 11 October elections," he said.

Responding to threats sent by text message to the mobile phone of the NEC chairwoman, UNMIL has increased the personal protection it is providing for her, he added.

Mr. Risley also said that recently, 76 members of the Liberian National Police were fired because they refused to deploy to various parts of Liberia from Monrovia. He called this a "significant development" in a country where the police were previously immune to dismissal. "The idea of sacking policemen for refusing to follow orders is quite novel," he said.

The UNMIL public information office is supporting a large civic education campaign by the NEC. UNMIL Radio will soon start running musical ads, public service announcements and in-depth programmes reminding people how to vote and what their choices are, the spokesman said.