The Joint Pre-election Fact-finding Mission from ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) delegation has begun meeting stakeholders in Liberia ahead of the October elections.
The Mission is in the country to assess the state of preparedness for the October 10 Presidential and Legislative Elections and among those already visited was House Speaker Bhofal Chambers at his Capitol Building Office.
According to ECOWAS Representative in Liberia, Josephine Nkrumah the delegation is being co-led by Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairperson of the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission for ECOWAS, and Ambassador Calixte Mbari, Head of Democracy, Elections and Constitutionalism of the AU Commission.
Other members of the delegation include Ambassador Haja Alari Cole, a Member of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, Ms. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Mr. Elyse Oueddraogo, Chairman of the Independent National Commission of Burkina Faso, Muhammad Sulaiman Isa, Deputy Ambassador of Nigeria to ECOWAS, Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom, ECOWAS Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, as well as a joint-technical team from the ECOWAS and AU Commissions.
The Mission has also been holding working sessions with various stakeholders in elections, including the Liberian Government, National Elections Commission, Judiciary, Legislature, Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations, Security Agencies, and International Development Partners.
Speaker Chambers welcomed the joint delegation and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the country, especially in the context of the upcoming October presidential elections.
He said on the issue of promoting gender equality in the upcoming elections it is an essential aspect of ensuring democratic representation and inclusivity.
He indicates the Legislature’s commitment to addressing gender disparities and empowering women’s participation in the political process.
