The Economic Community of West African States—ECOWAS and the African Union Election Observation Missions to Liberia is commanding Liberians for peacefully exercising their rights to vote on Tuesday.

In a joint statement, the missions express admiration for the voters’ discipline, patience and peaceful conduct, in spite of the long queues observed in most precincts.

They particularly commend the women and the youth for their show of patriotism and commitment to democracy by turning out in large numbers to vote.

At the same time, the missions commend the National Elections Commission for the generally professional conduct on the voting process on Election Day and Laud the Joint Security Task Force for ably providing election security.

Meanwhile, the Missions continue to urge NEC to maintain a high level of transparency, accountability and openness in the expectations management of the results collation, tallying and announcement of final results.

The Missions urge the media, political parties and candidates to avoid the temptation to call the election results ahead of NEC’s declaration.

“Finally, the ECOWAS and AU appeal to the people of Liberia to exercise maximum patience and remain calm while awaiting the declaration of the final results,” the statement under the signature of Prof. Attahiru Jega

Former Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, Federal Republic of Nigeria, who doubles as the Head of Mission, ECOWAS Election Observation Mission.