Liberia: ‘Conceding Defeat is the Highest Token of Democratic Development’
-Says Ex-Foreign Minister, Marjon Kamara
Former Foreign Minister, Marjon Kamara, has said that conceding defeat, which is the peaceful acceptance of the Results of the electoral process, is the highest token of democratic development in any democratic society.
Kamara, who is also a former Liberian Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) and the current Chairperson of the Eminent Persons of the Peace-building Office (PBO), said at a press conference on Friday, November 17, that the peaceful conduct of the elections and the subsequent acceptance of the outcomes will help consolidate the democratic credentials of the country.
The PBO’s Eminent persons have been coordinating and monitoring the Violence and Prevention Situation Room of the peace office.
Kamara expressed her belief that the peaceful conduct of elections and the subsequent acceptance of outcomes will help strengthen the democratic credentials of the country. Kamara, who is also the Chairperson of the Eminent Persons of the Peace-building Office (PBO) and a former Liberian Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), commended the credibility of the election results announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
She stated that the Election Monitoring and Violence and Prevention Situation Room of the Liberia Peacebuilding Office (PBO) expects the updated preliminary results to be announced by the NEC soon.
The former Foreign Minister's comments were based on findings from a survey conducted by the Situation Room in thirteen of the fifteen political subdivisions after the October 10 Legislative and Presidential Elections, as well as the November 14 Presidential runoff.
According to the Situation Room's survey, 87.6 percent of respondents trust and accept the electoral process. Kamara emphasized that only the NEC has the authority to announce the official results of all national elections, and no party should claim what is not intended for them by law.
She highlighted that the voting, counting, and tallying processes were observed by authorized party agents, national and international observers, and local and international journalists. The tallying process involved double-checking and verification of reports from each polling place, ensuring transparency.
The Room expressed gratitude to Liberians for their discipline and maturity throughout the electoral process.