ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has urged all political stakeholders in Liberia to ensure a democratic, credible and peaceful electoral process, as the country heads to the polls on Oct.10.
According to a statement from the pan-African bloc on Monday, the chairperson of the AU Commission noted the generally calm and peaceful campaign of the election.
He called on all Liberians, particularly political party leaders and their supporters, to approach the upcoming Presidential and House of Representative elections with the same spirit of tolerance.
He urged the National Electoral Commission to ensure impartiality, transparency and fairness, in order to guarantee the legitimacy and acceptance of the election outcome.
In making the appeal, the chairperson is mindful of the historical significance of these elections. They are indeed the third since the end of the two civil wars (1989-1997 and 1999-2003) in Liberia, and will mark the first truly democratic transfer of power in the country.
These elections will be taking place against the backdrop of the country's recovery from the devastating consequences of the 2014-2015 Ebola Virus Disease epidemic, said the statement.
The chairperson reiterated AU's commitment and support to the historic transition in Liberia aimed at entrenching a culture of democracy and peace, which is a pre-requisite for sustainable socio-economic development.
He said that AU would continue to work closely with the larger international community, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations.
He also underlined the key role played by ECOWAS and the UN, including through the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in the stabilization of the country.
The pan-African bloc has dispatched a team of election observers led by former Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Erastus Mwencha, and the team comprises 14 long-term and 50 short-term observers.
