ECOWAS calls for Liberian opposition party to attend run-off election

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission appealed in a statement on Friday to the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), the main opposition party in Liberia, led by Winston Tubman, to remain in the run-off election slated for Nov. 8. CDC on Wednesday said it will not take part in the presidential run-off election unless the Chairman of the Electoral Commission James Fromayan is replaced. The ECOWAS Commission appealed to the leadership of the CDC, and all political parties in Liberia, to place the national interest above all partisan considerations and to ensure a peaceful electoral process for the sake of national and regional stability, according to the statement. The Commission further urges any party with any grievances to seek redress through the legal channels for the resolution of electoral disputes. Failure to pursue this course would mean that such an aggrieved party lacks any tangible evidence to press their case. The ECOWAS Commission said that the run-off election will go ahead as planned, and if the process is adjudged by the competent authorities, and certified by credible observers, to be transparent, free and credible, ECOWAS will recognize whoever emerges as President. The incumbent Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of the Unity Party received 530,020 or 43.9 percent while Winston Tubman of the CDC received 394,370 or 32.7 percent of valid votes in the first round presidential election on Oct. 11. None of them obtained an absolute majority to be declared winner.