2.4 million vote as polls open in Liberia

2.4 million registered voters are voting in Liberia today to elect a president, 15 senators and 73 members of the house of representatives.

This is the country’s fourth consecutive election since the end of the second civil war.

Polls opened at 8am Liberian local time and is expected to close at 6pm. Voters who are in the queue by 6pm will be allowed to cast their ballot.

In all, voting will happen at 5,890 polling centres across the country according to the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC).

20 candidates are contesting for the apex office of Liberia although the race is largely between incumbent president George Weah of the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) and former Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party (UP).

While Mr. Weah expresses confidence in the past six years of his government claiming he stabilized the country and asking for a renewal of his mandate to continue working, the main opposition led by Boakai promises to rescue the country arguing that the country retrogressed when the incumbent took charge.

Other notable presidential candidates include businessman Alexander Cummings, renowned human rights lawyer Tiawan Gongloe and the only female candidates, former United Nations deputy special representative Sara Nyanti and independent candidate Bendu Kromah.

The President is directly elected by absolute majority vote in up to two rounds and may serve up to two 6-year terms.

With relative political stability, the West African country continues to struggle with corruption, economic challenges and electoral violence. At least 2 people were killed while scores were injured during the campaign period. Deadly clashes were recorded between supporters of the ruling party and the opposition Unity Party raising concern about the conduct of peaceful elections.

Meanwhile, NEC is expected to announce or declare presidential results within a maximum of fifteen days after voting. Aside that, provisional results will be announced as county reports are received.

In case of electoral disputes, aggrieved parties are required by law to file a complaint with the Elections Commission. If they are not satisfied with the outcome, they shall not later than seven days, appeal against it to the Supreme Court.

AEP

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