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Liberia: Johnson-Sirleaf asks voters not boycott poll
They rejoined the electoral process days later, after the chairman of the National Elections Commission resigned following allegations he favored Sirleaf, the country’s Harvard-educated president who was just awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Sirleaf won the first round of voting but failed to reach the threshold needed to avoid a runoff.
Tubman’s decision to boycott the runoff would guarantee victory for the country’s ruling party but would rob the electoral process of its legitimacy.
“The election machinery is still flawed, as it was in the first round,” Tubman said.
The U.S. State Department said it was “deeply disappointed” by the decision of the CDC to boycott the runoff election.
“Participation in elections is a fundamental part of democracy,” a statement attributed to State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Saturday. “We commend all Liberians for their peaceful participation in the elections, and encourage all Liberians to exercise their political voice and vote.”
It said the CDC’s charges that the first round was fraudulent were “unsubstantiated.” The international community, including the United States, will send observers to monitor the election process, it said.
Sirleaf is expected to address a rally before her house in the Sinkor district of Monrovia Sunday evening.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
