NEC updates the donor community on election preparations
(Monrovia, October 8, 2011) The National Elections Commission (NEC) has updated the international Donor Community on preparation put in vogue for the conduct of the Presidential and Legislative Elections due for October 11, 2011.
Speaking during a day-long donors’ coordination meeting held at NEC Headquarters on October 7, 2011, Chairman James M. Fromayan said elections materials have been deployed nationwide with the exception of Montserrado County. He said deployment of the materials in Montserrado County will be done this Sunday, October 9, 2011 directly from the Commission’s Central Warehouse in Sinkor, Monrovia.
Chairman Fromayan also said deployment into Electoral Districts One (1) and Seventeen (17) in Montserrado County will be done directly from the Bensonville and Brewerville Magisterial Offices in Montserrado County.
According to him, the second phase of deployment from magisterial warehouses to the 1,780 polling precincts will end on Monday, October 10 for polling to begin at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11. 10.
Mr. Fromayan further said 21 Elections Hearing Officers have already been trained and assigned across the country. He also intoned that officers of the Liberia National Police, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, the Liberian Red Cross and UNMIL security will provide security at all polling centers during these elections.
The NEC Chairman informed the Donor Community that a high beam internet V-SAT device has been installed at various magisterial offices for speedy transfer of results from voting centers to NEC Headquarters in Monrovia. Chairman revealed that NEC will hold two press conferences daily beginning Wednesday to announce progressive results of the three elections.
Mr. Fromayan said, in keeping with the electoral calendar, the Final Results will be announced on October 26. He reiterated his call for more observers and welcomed the news that several international organizations and regional bodies have agreed to send observers. He lauded the donors for support accorded to NEC over the years.
Responding on behalf of the Donors’ Coordination session, the Charge d’ Affairs of the Nigerian Embassy accredited near Monrovia, Mike G. Omotosho, thanked NEC for the massive preparations and wished the Commission successful and peaceful elections. He pledged the donors’ community continuous assistance to ensure that peace and development in Liberia continues to prevail.
Meanwhile, the NEC has briefed local and international journalists covering these elections as well as local and international observers on the entire elections process, including the Civic/Voters’ Education intervention, the intake of results, counting and tallying procedures.
