Election observers from the Carter Center say Liberia’s presidential run-off this week was credible and met international standards for democratic elections. In a statement Thursday, the U.S.-based monitoring group said democracy in Liberia still faces “important challenges.” But the Carter Center dismissed as “unsubstantiated” claims by the opposition that the election process was seriously flawed. […]
Monitor: Liberia Elections Democratic Despite Opposition Claims
Liberia Preliminary Presidential Run Off Election Results Expected Thursday
Officials say preliminary results of Liberia’s presidential runoff election are expected as early as Thursday. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is poised to win a second term, while the opposition candidate, William Tubman, boycotted Tuesday’s election over alleged fraud. As Liberia awaited the final tally, the head of Liberia’s national police, Marc Amblard, announced Thursday that […]
UN Warns of Pre-Election Rights Violations in DRC
The United Nations says it has documented a “worrying number” of human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo that appear to be tied to the country’s upcoming elections. In a report released Wednesday, the U.N. human rights office warned the trend could hurt the democratic process in Congo and spark violence after the […]
Liberia Tallies Votes in Boycotted Presidential Run-off
Vote counting is underway in Liberia after a presidential run-off that was boycotted by the challenger, leaving President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf poised to win a second term. Observers have said voter turnout for Tuesday’s poll was very low, sparking concerns that opposition supporters will reject the outcome and that political violence will erupt. Opposition candidate […]
Liberia Tallies Votes in Boycotted Presidential Run-off
Vote counting continues in Liberia, after a presidential run-off that was boycotted by the challenger, leaving President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf poised to win a second term. Observers reported very low turnout Tuesday, sparking concerns that opposition supporters will reject the outcome and that political violence will erupt. Opposition candidate Winston Tubman of the Congress for […]
UN: Human Rights Violations in DRC Could Lead to Post-Election Violence
The United Nations says the continued repression of fundamental freedoms in the lead-up to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s upcoming election is endangering the country’s democratic process and could lead to post-election violence. The U.N. Joint Human Rights Office released a report Wednesday documenting nearly 200 cases of human rights violations apparently linked to […]
Liberians Await Results of Poorly Attended Run-off Election
Liberians are awaiting the results of a presidential runoff election expected to hand a second term to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, while the government is standing by its decision to close three radio stations believed to be sympathetic to the opposition. An opposition boycott, voter apathy and fears of violence all contributed to what election […]
DRC Minister Warns Opposition Over Jail Break Threats
The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched an investigation into recent comments by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi proclaiming himself president and calling for a massive jailbreak. In an interview with VOA on Tuesday, Congo’s information minister Lambert Mende condemned the opposition leader’s statement as irresponsible and potentially criminal. He said the remarks could undermine the […]
Liberia Prepares for Presidential Run-Off Amid Boycott Confusion
Liberia is getting ready for next week’s presidential run-off election amid uncertainty whether the opposition Congress for Democratic Change party will make good on its threat and boycott the vote. Final results from the October 11 polls showed that incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won about 44 percent of the vote compared to 33 percent […]
Croatia Announces New Elections for December 4
Croatian President Ivo Josipovic has announced that new parliamentary elections will be held on December 4. Mr. Josipovic made the announcement Monday, after Croatia’s parliament voted to dissolve on Friday. The ruling Croatian Democratic Union will take on a coalition of center-left parties, after the HDZ was shaken by a spate of corruption scandals. The […]