MONROVIA, Montserrado – Amid ongoing legal proceedings over the outcome of the October 10 presidential and representative elections, the United States Embassy in Monrovia has warned political actors against efforts to hinder the decisions of voters.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Embassy said the efforts of any actors to impede the expressed will of citizens for personal ambition could risk goodwill and future investments of international partners to the country.

The embassy called on the country’s political leaders to get courage from voters who regardless of political views waited patiently in ques to vote in the elections, respecting one another.

While appreciating parties for using the legal channels for complaints, the embassy is at the same time encouraging them to observe the responsibilities that go along with the exercise of their rights. It called on actors to exhaust the legal requirements in a fair and timely manner that will enhance a peaceful transition.

“Disputes and litigation should be initiated and conducted in good faith by the claimants, the NEC, and if needed, the Supreme Court, in an expeditious manner to permit the timely conclusion of Liberia’s electoral process and a peaceful transition,” it said.

The U.S. mission re-emphasized its confidence in the integrity of the October 10 polls, stressing the importance for a peaceful transfer of power to a new “democratically-elected” president in January, as provided by the constitution.

“The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia was inspired by 1.5 million Liberians who expressed their commitment to and faith in democracy by voting in the October 10 elections,” the statement read.

According to the mission, no accredited Liberian, regional, or international observation group suggested that the cumulative anomalies observed reflect systemic issues sufficient to undermine the fundamental integrity of the electoral process.

“Where issues were identified in the first round of voting, we urge the National Elections Commission (NEC) to undertake corrective actions before, during, and after the runoff election,” it said.

The embassy has meanwhile urged the top two finishers of the October 10 to focus on constructively engaging each other and voters in preparation for the run-off presidential election.

The message from the embassy is similar to one issued jointly by the European Union Delegation to Liberia and the Embassies of E.U. member states in Liberia (France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom).

The E.U. countries wrote a day earlier in their statement that they “encourage all concerned to work constructively and in good faith to conclude the current complaints process without unnecessary delay so that the electoral process can be completed in accordance with Constitutional timelines regarding the assumption of power by the next administration.”

Featured photo courtesy of openDemocracy