The head of Liberia's election commission has resigned just a week before a planned presidential runoff vote amid accusations he was biased in favor of current President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

James Fromayan said Sunday he was stepping down because he did not want to stand in the way of a successful election.

He has previously said the accusations of bias are unfair.

Opposition presidential candidate Winston Tubman had demanded Fromayan be removed before the vote, saying the runoff has to be carried out in a manner that is less controlled, and the commission must be more objective.

There has so far been no official response from the Tubman campaign to Fromayan's resignation.

Tubman is a former Liberian justice minister. He and President Sirleaf were the top two finishers in the October 11 presidential election. No candidate won enough votes to avoid the November 8 runoff.