TheCable

The election observation missions of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) have asked political parties in Liberia to be guided by the spirit of national unity and peace.

Voting for the presidential and parliamentary elections commenced on Tuesday.

Incumbent President George Weah and 19 other presidential candidates are on the ballot.

In a statement on Tuesday, ECOWAS and AU missions called on stakeholders to maintain the peace and stability in the country before, during, and after the elections.

The missions asked the National Elections Commission (NEC) to maintain impartiality in the conduct of the polls.

“The ECOWAS and AU Missions will continue to avail their good offices to all stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure that the polls are conducted in a peaceful environment and in conformity with national, regional, and international standards,” the statement reads.

“The ECOWAS and AU missions call on all stakeholders to preserve the peace and stability of Liberia before, during, and after the elections.

“They urge political parties, candidates and their supporters to be guided by the spirit of national unity, peace and stability.”

The missions also called on security operatives to be professional in their duties during the elections.