Monrovia 15 September 2023 – “The General Elections scheduled for 10 October 2023 represent
a significant test for the democratic consolidation in Liberia. I believe it is important for the European
Union to accompany the Liberian people in this process. I trust that state authorities, political parties
and all candidates will play their part in promoting a credible, peaceful, transparent and inclusive
electoral process”, said Chief Observer Mr. Andreas Schieder, a Member of the European
Parliament, during a press conference in Monrovia, on Friday.

The EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Liberia was deployed at the invitation of the
Liberian authorities and arrived in Monrovia on 27 August with a team of 10 analysts. The mission
observes and assess the General Elections against national law, commitments and obligations for
democratic elections deriving from international and regional standards, as well as good practices
for democratic elections.

“We already deployed since last week 20 Long-Term Observers all over Liberia. The Mission
observes and analyses the whole electoral process including the legal framework, electoral
administration, voter and candidates registration, the campaign environment including in the media
and social media, voting, counting and tabulation of the results, as well as the complaints and
appeals process”, said the Chief Observer. “We will stay in the country until the completion of the
electoral process,” added Schieder.Mr. Andreas Schieder is leading the EU Mission as the Chief Observer and already met different stakeholders including the National Elections Commission, Minister of Justice, Minister of State for
Presidential Affairs, Associate Justice, candidates in the presidential race as well as the
representatives of civil society and the media.
“After several meetings in Monrovia this week, I can see the state of preparations of the institutions
in charge of elections as well as the candidates and political parties. Our long-term observers
deployed in all 15 counties already met various stakeholders and are preparing and sending us
comprehensive evidence-based reports from their areas of observation”, said the Chief Observer.
Around Election Day, additional 40 Short-Term Observers will reinforce the EU EOM that will have
around 100 observers on the ground, including Members of the European Parliament and EU
diplomats accredited in Liberia, from EU Member States, as well as from Canada and Norway.

All EU EOM observers are bound by a code of conduct, which requires strict neutrality and noninterference.
The EU Mission undertakes its work in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International
Election Observation. It will issue its initial findings in a preliminary statement, which will be presented
in a press conference two days after Election Day. A Final Report with recommendations for
improvement will be presented at a later stage.