George Weah speaks as he gets certificate of return ahead of inauguration

Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) has presented Certificate of Return to the President-elect, George Weah; Vice President-elect, Jewel Howard-Taylor, and the newly elected members of the House of Representatives.

Chairman of NEC, Mr Jerome Korkoya, performed the ceremony at the commission’s headquarters in Monrovia on Thursday evening.

66 out of the 73 elected lawmakers were certificated, leaving out seven who are facing legal challenges over their election in the Oct. 10 general polls.

The new leaders will be sworn in on January 22, which is the third working Monday of January as stipulated in the Liberian Constitution.

Speaking at the occasion, the NEC boss reminded the newly elected public officers of the huge responsibility that comes with the mantle of leadership entrusted to them.

“The certificate we are presenting to you represents conferral of legitimacy to pronounce you to the world as the duly elected officials.

“”It is also an embodiment of the power, trust and aspiration reposed in you by your various constituents and the people of Liberia as a whole.

“Expectations are high to change the people’s living conditions through the laws, policies and programmes of the incoming government.

He acknowledged the contributions of international partners including ECOWAS, AU, USAID, EU and UNDP, which led to the successful conduct of the elections.

Korkoya expressed appreciation to all contestants in the elections for respecting the rule of law by exploring judicial means to seek redress after the elections.

The president-elect, George Weah, described his election as a unifying factor in the country.

Weah pledged to fulfil his campaign promises, including improving the lives of Liberians, calling on members of the legislature to put aside politics and work in the interest of the country.

“I went to Boakai (outgoing Vice President) not to make news but because campaign is over and it is time to do the Liberian people’s work.

“Our quest is for all Liberians to work together to move our country forward; in the interest of the people let’s work,” he said.

The president-elect reiterated his assurance of greater freedoms, saying he would not interfere with the tenets of democracy, especially political dissent.

“I am your friend but my interest is the Liberian people.

“Any attempt to promote clampdown on the political rights of fewer Liberians has the propensity of disuniting the country,” he said.