tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14489318470529667702024-03-16T23:53:14.340-07:00African Elections Projectafricanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.comBlogger1997125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-12075855354702082512023-12-13T10:23:00.000-08:002023-12-13T10:23:33.067-08:00DR Congo Elections 2023: All You Need to Know<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52ssdru86dyAFn8npNhQUXL2BdZx5CrDWq9CyQluWyygNl1tHD6EoGuUIEllLNG57egiSSl7jgI1Gb-qHanEi-BEdNup9VLsIe4AHjr9fdrFjw7by2MZ4qQvgssKjE0RohZNntdj7lpms4iQfxvTQmX80WqAuQi64sGbAZNLCWxM5yj1hqt1miTfmsMul/s1200/3500.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52ssdru86dyAFn8npNhQUXL2BdZx5CrDWq9CyQluWyygNl1tHD6EoGuUIEllLNG57egiSSl7jgI1Gb-qHanEi-BEdNup9VLsIe4AHjr9fdrFjw7by2MZ4qQvgssKjE0RohZNntdj7lpms4iQfxvTQmX80WqAuQi64sGbAZNLCWxM5yj1hqt1miTfmsMul/w320-h262/3500.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Source: Baz Ratner/ Reuters</div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo will be heading to the polls come 20th December 2023 to elect a president who will lead the country for the next 5 years. Approximately</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20231116-dr-congo-faces-logistical-security-challenges-before-pivotal-december-poll" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;">44 million</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">registered voters from a population of roughly 102 million are expected to participate in this very important exercise to elect a president, members of the national legislature, as well as local councilors. With few days to the election, the African Elections Project provides an overview of all there is to know about the upcoming general elections in Congo.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Who are the Main Candidates?</span><o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;">In all, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/twenty-four-candidates-sign-up-congolese-presidential-race-december-2023-10-08/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;">24 candidates</a> have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to contest the upcoming election. However, analysts predict that the race will be keenly contested among 4 contestants. They are incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi, former Oil Executive Martin Fayulu, former Katanga Governor Moise Katumbi, and Nobel Prize-Winning Gynaecologist Dr Dennis Mukwege.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">How does the Electoral System work?</span><o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Democratic Republic of the Congo uses the first-past-the-post voting system for its presidential elections. This means that the candidate who receives the most votes in the first round is declared the winner and becomes the next president.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The president is mandated by law to serve a five-year term, renewable only once. This year's presidential election will be combined with the election of members for both the national and provincial parliaments, as well as local councilors.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">When will the results be declared?</span><o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;">According to the electoral laws, provisional results are expected to be announced on December 31, however, the possibility of an earlier release exists if the results are ready ahead of schedule, although historical precedent shows that the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) traditionally prefers to wait until the counting of votes is completed across the country before officially declaring the winner.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">How many people are expected to vote?</span><o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;">According to the CENI close to 44 million people are expected to cast their ballot on the election day.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What are the key issues for voters?</span><o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Voters face a complex array of issues influencing their choices at the polls. Paramount among these is the urgent need for poverty reduction. Despite the world’s largest producer of cobalt and the third largest producer of copper, poverty is still very prevalent in DRC, with about 60% of the population living on less than <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/drc/overview#:~:text=DRC%20is%20among%20the%20five,in%20SSA%20lives%20in%20DRC." style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;">$2.15</a> a day, according to the World Bank.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Corruption is also widespread, although the government established an anticorruption watchdog under President Tshisekedi. In the 2022 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, DRC <a href="https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/democratic-republic-of-the-congo" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;">ranked</a> 166 out of 180 countries.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/12/5/unease-uncertainty-for-displaced-people-in-dr-congo-ahead-of-dec-20-vote" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;">Insecurity</a> also remains a key issue in the Congolese election, with over 120 armed groups causing widespread violence and displacing millions for three decades. The withdrawal of <a href="https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/pr-government-of-democratic-republic-of-congo-and-monusco-sign-disengagement-plan-withdrawal-of" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;">UN</a> peacekeeping forces and ineffective <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231203-east-african-regional-force-begins-withdrawal-from-drc" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;">regional deployments</a> heighten the risk of conflict and regional tensions.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Who is Likely to Win?</span><o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;">With the opposition divided, analysts expect that incumbent President Tshisekedi is better positioned to win the election. As a single-round contest, the best opportunity to challenge the incumbent president lies in a united opposition, which is considerably absent among the Congolese opposition with several contenders. Tshisekedi's incumbency and access to state resources make him a formidable candidate going into Wednesday’s election. <o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24pt; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection for more updates.</span></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-86559156254995535442023-12-07T13:42:00.000-08:002023-12-07T13:42:25.339-08:00#EgyptDecides2023: Meet the Presidential Candidates<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_OZzYN-Axt6Rtn0mGSY8HDWdhn-JcidhQgOoGfW9udAlIsRLVH6FJ_Pxv34Nd2-sWckLaJdOSzdrsIR7PhirozVBj5YpXrgh-BIWW-xcMf4nN6Q5RFcz2pINYyfpO0zylpKXqlEb40hNY5KcuE5eYC18u8DKxCQLURBe2pH02myvamKdffLRhrJigc1n/s669/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-07%20at%2021.39.54.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="669" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_OZzYN-Axt6Rtn0mGSY8HDWdhn-JcidhQgOoGfW9udAlIsRLVH6FJ_Pxv34Nd2-sWckLaJdOSzdrsIR7PhirozVBj5YpXrgh-BIWW-xcMf4nN6Q5RFcz2pINYyfpO0zylpKXqlEb40hNY5KcuE5eYC18u8DKxCQLURBe2pH02myvamKdffLRhrJigc1n/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-07%20at%2021.39.54.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Egyptians will be heading to the polls
from 10th to 12th December to elect their next president who will steer the
affairs of the country for the next six years. In all, four people have been
cleared by the National Elections Authority (NEA) to contest in this year’s
election. They are incumbent president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Abdel-Sanad Yamama
from the WAFD party, Hakem Omar from the Republican People’s Party and Farid
Zahran of the Social Democratic Party. With a few days to election eve, the
African Elections Projects takes a look at the profiles of the presidential
candidates. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><strong><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Abdel Fattah El-Sisi</span></strong><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, 69, is the
incumbent president of Egypt. El-Sisi is seeking a third term in office in the
upcoming presidential election. He is widely expected to win, as he faces no real
threat from his challengers. El-Sisi rose to prominence as a military commander
during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution and subsequently became Minister of Defence.
In 2013, he led a military coup that overthrew President Mohamed Morsi of the
Muslim Brotherhood. He later won the 2014 and 2018 elections with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/03/abdel-fatah-al-sisi-presidential-election-vote-egypt"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">96%</span></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-election-result/egypts-sisi-wins-97-percent-in-election-with-no-real-opposition-idUSKCN1H916A/"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">97%</span></a> respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">El-Sisi's presidency has been marked
by several significant achievements. He has overseen a period of relative
stability in Egypt, and he has made progress on key economic reforms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">However, the country’s current <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/economic-crisis-is-egypt-the-new-lebanon/a-64469810"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">economic situation</span></a> is dire,
with the Egyptian Pound losing half of its value since 2022, and inflation
reaching an all-time high. These economic challenges have led to widespread
discontent among the Egyptian people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Furthermore, his record on <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/14/us-to-withhold-85m-military-aid-to-egypt-over-political-prisoners-rights"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">human rights</span></a> has been
widely criticized. His government has been accused of stifling dissent, curtailing
freedom of speech, unlawful arrests and jailing tens of thousands of people
without fair trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Abdel-Sanad</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Yamama<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Abdel-Sanad</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Yamama, 71, is the leader
of the country’s oldest liberal party, the Wafd. Yamama. He is a professor of
Private International Law at the Faculty of Law,
Menoufiya University. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;">He
holds a master’s degree in International law from Ain Shams University in 1983
and a doctorate in foreign investment in Egypt from the University of Nancy in
France in 1988. Before heading the Wafd Party, he worked as a lawyer for the
Muslim World League.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;">He
then joined the Wafd party in 2004, which was established after the 1919
revolution against the British occupation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;">He
was elected as a member of the Supreme Committee of the Wafd Party for 3 consecutive
terms, in addition to previously holding the position of chairman of the
Legislative and Constitutional Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;">Hakem
Omar<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Hakem Omar, 59, is a</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;"> tourism entrepreneur</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;"> who currently serves as the
leader of the Republican People's Party (RPP), a centre-right political party.
He is a strong advocate for individual liberties, the rule of law, and a
market-oriented economy.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;">In
2020, Omar was appointed by El-Sisi to the Senate. He held the position of
chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before submitting his
resignation in late September.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;">In
his 2023 campaign, he promised to </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">promote the rule of law, and economic
freedom and ensure transparency and accountability in governance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Farid Zahran<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Farid Zahran,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>66, is a lawyer by profession, and the leader
of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15899999"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Social Democratic Party</span></a><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"> – a party that believes in</span></strong><span style="background: white;"> both free market economics and social justice as part
of a free and democratic system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">His campaign focuses
on improving the Egyptian economy, through raising productivity levels,
attracting foreign direct investments, and expanding agricultural production.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook
@Africanelection for more updates. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-63235470856696898302023-12-07T12:07:00.000-08:002023-12-07T12:07:44.947-08:00All You Need to Know about Egypt’s Upcoming General Elections<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9glzVb5pexHJvcSwMe7KC-ihtTc1WLUEvEuNPY_cgfTYJBR3CZ8GrbUXR3ExLOQgSEPGOV4L-gJtgyuvvpjZ95wzzqK71dULYGbg2DYfWCIPHjA7T2s3TlnzhK1QvQa2SIxZbWWBtMuRBJ0USUcaEoDzkY05zuaQsN566WBIVHHN-_VX5oi6ERpfbUIS/s626/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-07%20at%2015.04.50.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="626" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9glzVb5pexHJvcSwMe7KC-ihtTc1WLUEvEuNPY_cgfTYJBR3CZ8GrbUXR3ExLOQgSEPGOV4L-gJtgyuvvpjZ95wzzqK71dULYGbg2DYfWCIPHjA7T2s3TlnzhK1QvQa2SIxZbWWBtMuRBJ0USUcaEoDzkY05zuaQsN566WBIVHHN-_VX5oi6ERpfbUIS/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-07%20at%2015.04.50.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div id="summernote"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Egyptians will be heading to the polls from 10<sup>th</sup> to 12th December to elect a president who will steer the affairs of the country for the next six years. This is the third time electorates will be going to the polls to elect a president after the coup d’état in 2013. Unlike previous years when presidential elections took place every four years, the 2019 constitutional amendments in Egypt extended the length of presidential terms to six years. Hence, an incumbent or a past president can stand for a third term.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Who are the Contestants?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Four aspirants are contesting for the presidency including the incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who is currently serving as Egypt’s sixth president. The other candidates include Farid Zahran of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, Abdel-Sanad Yamana of the Wafd Party and Hazem Omar, of the Republican People’s Party.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">How is the Electoral Process Like</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">According to the Egyptian constitution, electoral procedures should begin a minimum of 120 days before the end of the current presidential term. The National Elections Authority, through its official verified Facebook page announced that it launched a database which includes all names and addresses of polling stations across the country, with all data specific to the polling station in which each citizen will cast his vote. The NEA’s website also allows citizens to request information about their electoral location and verify their votes in the electoral process, according to the national number. Citizens are also given the privilege to change their stations via the website to cast their votes provided the station is within the jurisdiction of the electoral home. According to the NEA, the electoral process outside Egypt took place in 137 embassies and consulates in 121 countries from 1<sup>st</sup> to 3<sup>rd</sup> December.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">A second round of voting (runoff) would take place on January 5-7 2024 for Egyptians living abroad and on January 8-10 2024 in Egypt if no candidate is successful at securing more than 50% of the vote. However, the NEA will announce the final result on 18<sup>th</sup> December if there is no runoff.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">How many Eligible Voters are Expected to Take Part in the Exercise?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 32px; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">About 67 million voters including those living abroad and within Egypt are registered and eligible to exercise their franchise according to the National Elections Authority.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Who is Eligible to Vote?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Three categories of persons stand a chance of casting their ballot in the upcoming general elections. They include: Persons who have attained the voting age of 18 and above; </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Citizens whose data are recorded in the voter database; Citizens with the national number card or a valid passport containing the national number.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Who is Not Eligible to Vote?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Citizens who are mentally unsound<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Convicts of theft, bribery, and other crimes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Citizens ever found guilty of disrupting political life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Citizens dismissed from government service for committing a crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">What are the issues?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">The unrelenting economic crisis in Egypt has been the key focus area each candidate has promised to tackle if given the mandate. According to the World Bank, “nearly a third of Egypt’s population of 104 million people currently live below the poverty line, and almost many are vulnerable to falling into poverty”. Improving productivity, legislative reform, social and educational sectors are areas the candidates have devoted to work on, in order to improve the standard of living of Egyptian citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Who is Likely to Win?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">A number of media reports have tipped incumbent Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as most likely to win. Sisi has won the presidency two consecutive times, in 2014 and 2018. In 2018, he won the election with 97% against his opponent. Analysts also say that Al-Sisi “retains the backing of the security services, most importantly the army, which has become more powerful and expanded its economic development”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection for more updates.</span></b></p></div>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-59115833515376793182023-11-16T01:31:00.000-08:002023-11-16T01:31:07.121-08:00Madagascar votes in presidential election amid calls for boycott<p> </p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccwFj28bWvNZyvE4Fbn1AHmY69tOCMDiwrrMtlbx3Tvb84qPi6WNEK46cvXawYetTg-ylwQictBiD6kiqaFX6VYJx73YGQUF8el714nas3EQW6ejDl2HVqY278xeif0iEx-_17eysuLb4arqOty1J1Sl4Sardh_64cb8PBGxaXTGU5cpjsoliQO4H2tnc/s864/thumbs_b_c_86fdc1456136d208386208ca88fae4b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="864" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccwFj28bWvNZyvE4Fbn1AHmY69tOCMDiwrrMtlbx3Tvb84qPi6WNEK46cvXawYetTg-ylwQictBiD6kiqaFX6VYJx73YGQUF8el714nas3EQW6ejDl2HVqY278xeif0iEx-_17eysuLb4arqOty1J1Sl4Sardh_64cb8PBGxaXTGU5cpjsoliQO4H2tnc/w480-h240/thumbs_b_c_86fdc1456136d208386208ca88fae4b8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br />Voters in Madagascar Thursday headed to the polls for a presidential election boycotted by several opposition candidates.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Polls opened at 6 a.m. local time (03:00 GMT) and will close at 5 p.m. for 11 million registered voters, according to the election commission.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Thirteen candidates are vying for the post, including incumbent Andry Rajoelina, who is seeking a second term.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Soava Andriamarotafika, the spokesperson for the electoral commission, said provisional results would be released on Nov. 24.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The second round of election will be conducted on Dec. 20 if none of the candidates receives 50% of the vote.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and the European Union have deployed its election observers.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The campaigns were overshadowed by a series of protests called by opposition aspirants quelled with tear gas.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A coalition of 10 out of 12 opposition candidates, including former presidents Hery Rajaonarimampianina and Marc Ravalomanana, have called on voters to boycott the election over transparency concerns.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Rajoelina held his last campaign rally in the capital Antananarivo on Sunday before thousands of enthusiastic supporters.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">There had been speculation Rajoelina’s candidature could be rejected surrounding his dual French-Malagasy nationality. He won the last vote in December 2018, beating Ravalomanana in the second round said to have been marred by irregularities.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><i><b>Source: aa.com.tr/en</b></i></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: GothamNarrow-Book; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-38763765773208309152023-11-15T01:13:00.000-08:002023-11-15T01:13:49.458-08:00Liberians await election result after George Weah v Joseph Boakai run-off<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYaHVrsHCrwL4aTdK95TEbCW6JLBfK_q8J8iOT8e-9xduqfdQjA0mirRkHbggE1I19JQst2Azm-ADG9sVpcvvab6rd2GbJLzoukHAzbIl0FOJAHRqtA5G95G2CdakK8cfg9CrC49ZyWidqo8FexIQX_D9JrzsXqQ1MNb2uNU1Ze__6wSUmQMNpAs9vzZS/s800/_131712526_liberiacomposite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYaHVrsHCrwL4aTdK95TEbCW6JLBfK_q8J8iOT8e-9xduqfdQjA0mirRkHbggE1I19JQst2Azm-ADG9sVpcvvab6rd2GbJLzoukHAzbIl0FOJAHRqtA5G95G2CdakK8cfg9CrC49ZyWidqo8FexIQX_D9JrzsXqQ1MNb2uNU1Ze__6wSUmQMNpAs9vzZS/w535-h255/_131712526_liberiacomposite.jpg" width="535" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem;">Counting is ongoing in Liberia's presidential run-off election after neither of the main candidates won October's first round outright.</span></p><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">Just 7,000 votes separated the current president, retired football star George Weah, and former Vice-President Joseph Boakai.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">While Mr Weah won the first round he failed to get more than 50% of the vote, triggering a run-off.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">Counting will conclude on Wednesday, the National Elections Commission said.<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Nine election commission staff arrested over alleged ballot-tampering after October's vote.</span></p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">The UN also reported clashes between supporters of rival opposition parties.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">This is the fourth presidential election since Liberia's second civil war which ended more than 20 years ago after more than 50,000 people died.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">The BBC's Moses Garzeawu in the capital, Monrovia, said Liberians had been "hungry to vote" and long queues were reported at polling stations.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">The head of the national elections commission, Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, said: "We want to thank all Liberians who left their bed this morning. Stay in the line and vote."</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">Mr Weah, 57, got 43.8% of the vote in the first round, and Mr Boakai, 78, got 43.4%. Eighteen other candidates ran in the first round.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">Mr Boakai has focused on investing in agriculture and infrastructure in his campaigning.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">He has also highlighted the need to rescue the nation from what he calls "mismanagement" by Mr Weah's administration.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">The president has been talking about improving education and dealing with unemployment.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">He has asked voters for more time to see the results of his first-term promises, to root out corruption and improve livelihoods.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">Liberia is still recovering from the impact of two civil wars between 1989 and 2003, and the Ebola epidemic that killed thousands of people between 2013 and 2016.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">According to the World Bank, the West African nation's economy expanded by 4.8% in 2022, because of "mining and a relatively good agricultural harvest".</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">This is not the first time the two men have faced each other. In 2017, Mr Weah beat Mr Boakai, gaining 61% of the vote in the second round.</p></div><div class="bbc-19j92fr ebmt73l0" dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; grid-column: 5 / span 10; grid-template-columns: repeat(10, 1fr); margin: 0px; width: initial;"><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;">Voting closed at 18:00 GMT on Tuesday local time on and results are expected to be announced on Wednesday.</p><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;"><b>Source: bbc.com</b></p><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;"><br /></p><p class="bbc-hhl7in e17g058b0" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #141414; font-family: ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.375rem; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-right: 2.5rem;"><br /></p></div>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-30939481203124599932023-11-14T01:07:00.000-08:002023-11-14T01:14:36.532-08:00Liberia’s Weah and rival Boakai meet again in presidential run-off<p><br /></p><header class="article-header" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><p class="article__subhead css-1wt8oh6" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.33; margin: 0px;"><img alt="Liberian President Weah votes in polls" class="size-arc-image-770 wp-image-2398131" data-recalc-dims="1" height="385" loading="lazy" src="https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/33XW383-highres-1696938540.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513&quality=80" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 5px; max-width: 100%; object-fit: cover; width: 770px;" width="578" /></p><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.25rem;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.25rem;">Liberians are voting today in a run-off election between President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai after a fiercely fought first round in which neither was able to score over 50 percent of the vote to secure an outright victory.</span></div></header><div aria-atomic="true" aria-live="polite" class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-ibbk12" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: var(--font-family-article-body); font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 7px 0px 30px; overflow: hidden;"><p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; hyphens: auto; margin: 0.5rem 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Football icon Weah, 57, led the first round in October, gaining 43.83 percent of the vote, and Boakai had 43.44 percent</p><p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; hyphens: auto; margin: 0.5rem 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Analysts say the thin margin of votes between them – just 7,126 votes out of almost two million votes – and the absence of a strong third candidate, means the round will also be very competitive.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; hyphens: auto; margin: 0.5rem 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">The 2023 election has been a rematch of the vote in 2017 when Weah won with over 61 percent.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; hyphens: auto; margin: 0.5rem 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">This is the country’s fourth post-war presidential election but the first one without the presence of the United Nations mission which previously provided support to the country’s elections commission.</p><figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2398131" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2398131" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-family: var(--font-family); font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 30px; max-width: 770px; width: 770px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-2398131" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #626262; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.75; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.25rem;">Analysts say the election is a referendum on the ruling party’s stint in power so far.</span></figcaption></figure><p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; hyphens: auto; margin: 0.5rem 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Some voters have become disenchanted with Weah’s performance, particularly on corruption, high rate of youth unemployment, food inflation and general economic hardship. He fired his chief of staff and two other senior officials after the United States imposed sanctions on them for <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/liberia-suspends-three-officials-accused-by-us-corruption-2022-08-16/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0059a5;">corruption</a>.</p><p data-testid="paragraph-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; hyphens: auto; margin: 0.5rem 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Ruling party supporters say a new law in July 2022 granting the anticorruption commission prosecutorial power, is evidence of the administration’s fight against corruption. However, opponents point out that two of the officials sanctioned by the US in 2022 ran for parliamentary seats on the platform of the ruling party.</p><p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-8" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; hyphens: auto; margin: 0.5rem 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Weah has blamed the coronavirus pandemic and the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war for failure to deliver on economic targets.</p><p class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-8" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; hyphens: auto; margin: 0.5rem 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Source: <b>Aljazeera.com</b></p></div>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-46892815189137218742023-10-17T10:49:00.000-07:002023-10-17T10:49:27.408-07:00Liberia's 2023 Presidential Election Headed for a Possible Run-Off<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1AqSuaKjmEWvPFbGr6ZxbvxusaNVQ3T7K1wVWJnDIYsja1msUvqqeC0LfQbZtqfbmOnvTVCiP4FrlTpSqyoPexwzwMJeP64KiM1DUxganrE_1yRULGdMYCYUUKeE8RIOtXaR8i0uNuOO-Dq8GIrtfkfrR8Gsgg_rksh464dlBPUb-QTAbCVL7YeBSR64/s1600/231006125532-03-liberia-presidential-election-2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1AqSuaKjmEWvPFbGr6ZxbvxusaNVQ3T7K1wVWJnDIYsja1msUvqqeC0LfQbZtqfbmOnvTVCiP4FrlTpSqyoPexwzwMJeP64KiM1DUxganrE_1yRULGdMYCYUUKeE8RIOtXaR8i0uNuOO-Dq8GIrtfkfrR8Gsgg_rksh464dlBPUb-QTAbCVL7YeBSR64/s320/231006125532-03-liberia-presidential-election-2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joseph Boakai (left), President George Weah (right)</div><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f; text-align: justify;"><p><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p>Liberia's presidential election which was held on 10<sup>th</sup>
October 2023 is headed for a </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/liberia-presidential-election-likely-heading-run-off-2023-10-16/">run-off</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f; text-align: justify;">, with incumbent President George Weah and
opposition leader Joseph Boakai nearly tied in the race.</span><p></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;">Provisional results released by the </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.necliberia.org/">National Elections Commission</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;"> (NEC) on Monday, 16<sup>th </sup>October,
2023 indicates that the former Vice
President Joseph Boakai has a slim lead with 43.70% of the vote, while
incumbent President George Weah secured 43.65% of total votes cast. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;">The Chairperson of Liberia’s National Elections
Commission, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansannah providing an update on the
presidential election indicated that </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-runoff-election-imminent-as-nec-releases-nearly-93-of-presidential-results/">results</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;"> from 5,467 out of 5,890 polling centres across
Liberia have so far been received, accounting for 92.98% of the total votes
cast with 7.02% of polling centres yet to be counted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;">Per results which have trickled in so far, it is increasingly
evident that neither candidate is likely to meet the constitutional requirement
of securing 50% plus 1 vote to be declared winner of the presidential election.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;">According to the country’s </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.geneseo.edu/~iompress/Archive/LiberiaElectionReformLaw.pdf">electoral
laws</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;">, if no candidate is successful at securing 50% plus
1 vote of the total votes cast, the election proceeds to a run-off. The run-off
is expected to take place 30 days from the day of the main election, which in
this case would be November 15, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;">The upcoming presidential run-off in Liberia between
George Weah and Joseph Boakai will be the second time these two leading
candidates will compete against each other, In the 2017 general </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/28/ex-footballer-george-weah-to-become-liberias-president">elections</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;">, Weah garnered 38.4% of the vote, while
Boakai garnered 28.8%, leading to a subsequent run-off which saw Weah winning the presidential election with
61.5% of the votes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1f1f1f;">Liberia’s 2023 election is the fourth since the second
civil war ended in 2023. 20 presidential candidates were cleared to contest the
election which is evidently becoming a repeat of the 2017 race between the
frontrunners George Weah and Joseph Boakai.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1f1f1f;"><b>Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection to get updates on the Liberia presidential election.</b></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-58139325804375774422023-10-13T10:15:00.002-07:002023-10-13T10:16:41.170-07:00#LiberiaDecides2023: Why Election Results may delay – An Explainer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aRvYS06DSq51PpN0krlZjcGmgSS8IpO0TAboygtJvpDQu029zdHmiYB_2gX3qwS4_a4Vj1sy8z5u36Sv9qsBLHzSIHeiSNY0in1-X7wWuSuaeTsLtXHqLZ1YHENl8s4KuJ18ygv_5NS1k5gIjGCKF0XAF0BtTtlbiIkhpfjwDKihAyfbKzxOXV3yQrii/s680/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-13%20at%206.13.40%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aRvYS06DSq51PpN0krlZjcGmgSS8IpO0TAboygtJvpDQu029zdHmiYB_2gX3qwS4_a4Vj1sy8z5u36Sv9qsBLHzSIHeiSNY0in1-X7wWuSuaeTsLtXHqLZ1YHENl8s4KuJ18ygv_5NS1k5gIjGCKF0XAF0BtTtlbiIkhpfjwDKihAyfbKzxOXV3yQrii/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-13%20at%206.13.40%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If
you are an avid follower of AEP on any of our social media platforms or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a consumer of news across various news portals
then, you may have heard that Liberia held its presidential and legislative
elections on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. This general elections is geared towards
electing a president to steer the affairs of Liberia for the next 6 years. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As
expected in every election, followers and the general public are always on the
edge hoping that the electoral body will expediate action in announcing the
results to reduce tensions and anxiety. However, this is unlikely to happen in
Liberia. The </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.necliberia.org/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">National
Elections Commission</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> (NEC) has hinted that
the timely release of final results is uncertain due to unforeseen challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As
at mid day 13<sup>th</sup> October, only about 7 percent of polling centres had
their results published by NEC. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
this article, AEP delves into some of the issues accounting for the slow pace
of NEC in releasing presidential election results.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Electoral laws<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
key factor contributing to the delay in the declaration of the results is the
electoral laws of Liberia. The electoral laws of the West African country give
the election management body ample time to process and declare results of the
elections after voting takes place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According
to the </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.eisa.org/pdf/lib2017amendedlaw.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">laws</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">,
final results must be declared within 15 days after the voting day. Provisional
results, based on polling station data, are to be published within 72 hours of
polls closing. Following this, the NEC has 15 days to verify the results,
address discrepancies, and conduct recounts if necessary before officially
declaring the election's outcome. This 15-day period is crucial to ensure a
comprehensive verification process that upholds the fairness and integrity of
the elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Logistical Challenges<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Despite
huge investment of about $50 million put in this year’s election, the election
is frought with many logistical challenges. A day after the election, NEC announced
that some people were yet to vote.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
election management body blamed the situation on bad roads, floods and damage
to electoral materials and blocked access to some electoral districts caused by
heavy raining. <i>“The damaged materials will be replaced for the conduct of
the elections in the affected areas within a week's time,</i>” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, NEC Chairperson
said at a press briefing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
delays were largely witnessed in the south eastern counties of Sinoe and River
Cess with voter populations of 55,579 and 39,941 respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According
to NEC in its latest press briefing on Thursday October 12 2023, some of these
challenges have been resolved while others are being resolved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Meanwhile,
NEC is expected to provide updates on the situation and publish some additional
tallied results on Friday evening October 13 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">For
now, Liberians and other stakeholders sit on tenterhooks in anticipation that
the electoral body will declare the election results as promised within the 15
days window.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>AEP</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection for updates n elections across Africa. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-14894570839740123192023-10-10T12:14:00.004-07:002023-10-10T12:16:05.615-07:00#LiberiaDecides2023: Voting ends in Liberia but long queues remain<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiHH7c1ZgFYsCOYsDVy5aQEPhpRQcK0DyEyLGu0xMHV9WjdQTlgOsLURco_fK8Nc-Kzq6xH2fQ8OHWS-a9rPXR8ZUx63LYZrrK3dtP3FHaxqRxVzNRBHTT0kwgmodt9wAfO4v17g7UPAVExWtNDgUuBKRKsNdN9_o7Fyf7CLrsMd4w_sGoWcXp_90FtRQ/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-10%20at%2010.12.23%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiHH7c1ZgFYsCOYsDVy5aQEPhpRQcK0DyEyLGu0xMHV9WjdQTlgOsLURco_fK8Nc-Kzq6xH2fQ8OHWS-a9rPXR8ZUx63LYZrrK3dtP3FHaxqRxVzNRBHTT0kwgmodt9wAfO4v17g7UPAVExWtNDgUuBKRKsNdN9_o7Fyf7CLrsMd4w_sGoWcXp_90FtRQ/w320-h228/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-10%20at%2010.12.23%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Credit: Yiaga Twitter</div><br /><p></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">Voting has official ended across all 5,890 polling
centres in Liberia. Thousands of voters queued at dozens of polling stations across
the country hours before polls opened at 8am local time.</span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">The presidential elections is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keenly contested by former football star
Geoge Weah who is seeking for a second term in office and <span style="background: white; color: #141414;">former Deputy President Joseph Boakai.</span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #141414;">Aside the two
main contenders, 18 other candidates are in the race including two women who
are hoping to outwit incumbent George Weah. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #141414;">Several instances of
delays were reported in polling centres with thousand of voters stranded in
parts of the country. Eventhough the National Elections Commission (NEC
Liberia) instituted priority voting to allow PWDs, pregnant women and the
elderly to vote smoothly, this wasn’t adhered to in some centres visited by
Uzabe NG who were on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">To</span><span lang="EN-GB">
be declared as the winner of the presidential election, one needs to garner at
least 50% plus one of the votes cast. Provided no candidate achieves this
threshold, the two candidates with the most votes in the initial round will
proceed to a runoff election scheduled for November.</span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">Despite concerns of potential violence in the lead-up
to the election, <span style="background: white; color: #141414;">the election has
been relatively calm<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>across various
polling centres</span> with no reports of violence recorded.</span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">This <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>election
marks the first since the United Nations ended its peacekeeping mission in
Liberia in 2018, following two civil wars that claimed over 250,000 lives
between 1989 and 2003.</span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">Observer missions from the the European Union, African
Union, ECOWAS, and the United States have all pitched camp in Liberia to
monitor the voting process.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Meanwhile, NEC is
expected by law to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>declare the
presidential results within a maximum of fifteen days after voting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB">Corruption, economic challenges, standard of living are
some of the key issues which will shape this year’s general elections in
Liberia.</span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">AEP</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Get
the latest news and updates on elections in Africa by following us on twitter
@africanelection and like our Facebook page: African Elections Project
Facebook. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-15666319088072567462023-10-10T02:42:00.005-07:002023-10-10T02:42:55.477-07:002.4 million vote as polls open in Liberia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMyhGCEP_sD7I0IhEQ0zj2emn1R0rIF9qcTcN7Tnk0IXtc92I92YtCXQBNhz2yQJQMLozPqySUumacpjM_cmu4x9q2F4PXLfEbA1aa7GxTmhMMKThS9phWxt4QQkcb89ZgdW-pFI1zFL7woTq1KxCimNfyzZTFXNRcbfRU5DSYlE4uGFW5k0rsWTvVhtO/s660/Boakai-and-Weah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="660" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMyhGCEP_sD7I0IhEQ0zj2emn1R0rIF9qcTcN7Tnk0IXtc92I92YtCXQBNhz2yQJQMLozPqySUumacpjM_cmu4x9q2F4PXLfEbA1aa7GxTmhMMKThS9phWxt4QQkcb89ZgdW-pFI1zFL7woTq1KxCimNfyzZTFXNRcbfRU5DSYlE4uGFW5k0rsWTvVhtO/s320/Boakai-and-Weah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>2.4 million registered voters are voting in Liberia today to
elect a president, 15 senators and 73 members of the house of representatives.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the country’s fourth consecutive election since the
end of the second civil war.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In all, voting will happen at 5,890 polling centres across
the country according to the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The President is directly elected by absolute majority vote
in up to two rounds and may serve up to two 6-year terms.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With relative political stability, the West African country
continues to struggle with corruption, economic challenges and electoral
violence. <a href="https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/05/liberia-un-concerned-by-election-violence/">At
least 2 people</a> 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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">AEP<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Get the latest news
and updates on elections in Africa by following us on twitter @africanelection
and like our Facebook page: African Elections Project Facebook. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-35977134234540834612023-10-09T11:26:00.003-07:002023-10-09T11:29:30.182-07:00#LiberiaElections 2023: Get Familiar with the Facts and Figures <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusgpHzOPi6PQ3XVKzBQA0WCn_x9TbjChBhCwTMWf99-pragt3dJG_9XhW69kfrsxjj7P2fL017VtKn7The2fs4Tp7ch7aU1PNaNf_vFlFWrHhZXiAhUPyrkyLXisEWWnyT2bDYrWttAmWFMbgtT0M8s3aUZBkvUQYpF6EOD1DqQgVHqCHO-vCed4OA6v0/s1080/Yellow%20&%20Black%203D%20Did%20You%20Know%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusgpHzOPi6PQ3XVKzBQA0WCn_x9TbjChBhCwTMWf99-pragt3dJG_9XhW69kfrsxjj7P2fL017VtKn7The2fs4Tp7ch7aU1PNaNf_vFlFWrHhZXiAhUPyrkyLXisEWWnyT2bDYrWttAmWFMbgtT0M8s3aUZBkvUQYpF6EOD1DqQgVHqCHO-vCed4OA6v0/w320-h256/Yellow%20&%20Black%203D%20Did%20You%20Know%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">On Tuesday October
10, Liberians will vote for their next President, House of Representatives, and
Senators. In this blog post, we delve into a comprehensive exploration of the
facts and figures surrounding these elections, shedding light on the key
statistics, voter demographics, and notable historical contexts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Check out this
interesting facts and figures below:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 1. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Tuesday’s
election will be the fourth post-war democratic presidential and legislative
elections in Liberia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 2. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
country’s Senate consists of 30 members of which only 15 will be voted for (the
other 15 is contested three years later according to the electoral law as
well as 73 members in the House of Representatives. All members serve 9-year
terms<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 3. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">All
Liberian citizens over 18 years old who have registered as voters can vote.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 4. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Voters
with disabilities can have someone assist them in marking and casting their
ballots, provided the helper is also a registered voter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 5. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
campaign period, declared by Liberia's National Elections Commission, is from
August 5, 2023, to October 8, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 6. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">For
the first time, the NEC has introduced the 'Biometric Voter Registration' (BVR)
exercise to minimize irregularities and double registrations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 7. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Although
BVR was introduced for registration purposes, voters will use the manual system
to cast their votes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 8. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">5,890
polling centres will be operational for Tuesday’s vote.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 9. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
total number of registered voters is 2,471,617.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1010. T</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">here
are 20 presidential candidates, including two women.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 11. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Incumbent
President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai are considered as
frontrunners in the 2023 elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 12. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Voting
will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 6:00 p.m. However, voters already in
the queue can cast their ballots beyond 6:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 13. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Three
categories of ballot papers will be issued in different colours: Presidential
and vice presidential ballots in red, Senatorial ballot in blue, and
Representative ballot in green.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 14. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
Commission is expected to announce or declare results within a maximum of fifteen
days after voting. Provisional results will be announced as county reports are
received. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 15. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
presidential ballots will be counted first, followed by the Senate and then the
House of Representatives ballot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 16. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Only
accredited NEC officials, domestic and international observers, accredited
party representatives, accredited journalists, and the Liberian National Police
(LNP) are allowed to be present during the counting process.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 17. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">A
little over 40% of registered voters fall within the age range of 18 to 34<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 18. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Liberia
has 15 counties and each county is represented by 2 senators while the 73
members of the house of representatives are elected from single seat
constituencies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 19. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">George
Weah won the 2017 elections in the second round, polling 61.5% of the votes
against former Vice President Joseph<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Boakai who get 38.5% of the votes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> 20. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-25448435891364359282023-10-06T15:49:00.000-07:002023-10-06T15:49:20.984-07:00Advancing Democracy: How Technology Is Safeguarding a More Credible and Transparent Elections in Liberia <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNPQ54FlNO78aOI8lDw8k4Q_STxIYtHLFaH_HytFvjApBz1C0vpdQHnWk64EP0b0fWYWqKkZ3BSnrvygI5uvON-htxYamfIXLLu3QyNe76S6QqOg60dwD8B03-KfBZJq0ioPXl3Bp-pM5ycpw9TV6xRH2wBED4h_ZL2WfGGBuT8Ja4PfOpgQmWFfgPtEu/s960/liberia-election-kit-laxton-aratek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNPQ54FlNO78aOI8lDw8k4Q_STxIYtHLFaH_HytFvjApBz1C0vpdQHnWk64EP0b0fWYWqKkZ3BSnrvygI5uvON-htxYamfIXLLu3QyNe76S6QqOg60dwD8B03-KfBZJq0ioPXl3Bp-pM5ycpw9TV6xRH2wBED4h_ZL2WfGGBuT8Ja4PfOpgQmWFfgPtEu/s320/liberia-election-kit-laxton-aratek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
the ever-evolving landscape of democracy in Liberia, the integrity of the
voters' roll is fundamental to the conduct of free and fair elections. To
uphold this essential principle, the </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.necliberia.org/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">National Electoral Commission (NEC)
of Liberia</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> is shifting to embrace technology
in almost all aspect of its work. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
preparation for the crucial October 2023 elections, the NEC has harnessed the
power of </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.biometricupdate.com/202309/technical-report-declares-liberias-biometric-voter-registration-exercise-a-success"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Biometric
Voter Registration</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> (BVR) technology to
ensure a credible and peaceful outcome of the elections. This marks a historic
shift from traditional methods. This innovative approach utilizes advanced
technology to capture and validate unique biometric data for each voter and
elimninate past issues of double registration and voting which has marred the
previous Liberia elections. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Move to Biometric
Voter Registration (BVR) <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
2023 elections in Liberia signifies a paradigm shift, replacing the traditional
paper-based Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) technology with the cutting-edge
Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system. This transformation, many have
described, as an embodiment of progress and a commitment by key stakeholders in
ensuring a credible voter roll.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
BVR technology involves the measurement and analysis of distinct physical
characteristics of voters to confirm their identities and determine their
eligibility to cast their votes. This technological advancement is specifically
designed to combat identity theft, prevent multiple voting, and thwart various
fraudulent tactics used to manipulate the voting process.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">One
of the pivotal steps in utilizing BVR technology is the comprehensive
deduplication process. The NEC employed advanced algorithms to identify and
eliminate multiple registrations and detect suspected underage registrants. The
procedure involves comparing facial recognition data, fingerprints, names,
birth dates, and other particulars against the entire applicant database. Any
potential duplicates and underage registrations were flagged for manual
verification by NEC staff.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">From
the BVR exercise, the NEC</span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.eisa.org/can-biometric-voter-registrationdeduplication-and-public-scrutiny-enhance-voters-roll-integrity-in-liberia-and-elsewhere-best-practices-from-the-field/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
recorded</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> a total of 2,498,904 registrants,
with 27,192 identified as duplicates and 529 as suspected underage registrants
across all 15 Liberia counties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Coupling
technology with manual verification processes, NEC encouraged Liberian citizens
to participate in the process thereby allowing voters to object to the
inclusion of ineligible persons on the Provisional Registration Roll (PRR). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Although
the </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.necliberia.org/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">National
Electoral Commission (NEC) of Liberia</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> employed
the biometric technology during the registration of voters, it is however unclear
if the technology will be used during voting to verify voters before they cast
their ballots which is a significant step in ensuring credible elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Background<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Liberia
goes to the polls on the 10<sup>th</sup> of October. This will be the West
African country’s fourth elections since the end of the civil war in 2003. Key
issues at stake in this election are high inflation, corruption and falling
living standards.<br />
19 candidates are running against incumbent president George Weah. Notable
among Weah contenders are former Vice President Joseph Boakai and businessman Alexander
Cummings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">To
be declared winner in Tuesday’s election, a candidate must achieve 50% of the
total valid votes cast plus one additional vote.<o:p></o:p></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-37440599588196178292023-10-05T03:31:00.003-07:002023-10-05T03:31:56.482-07:00#LiberiaDecides2023: Meet the leading candidates in the upcoming polls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ulh59kkaSLNBXE1y0etJSTBT0HIeVrq354qJdVHQ9sWlytaOuVAOrGI4uFvDb6ocikXg4LeRFbw6Kn24bQmRgVatV0-KJiFSQeW2AbbLJl-dVsTmHiHluzFeC-QsXX8zpfsFRuKsVpOhfSxdyAXXKKddWw726xdrO3Bg2b0cuGcCG1WjXk4HAoipwCGF/s907/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-05%20at%2010.18.42%20AM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="907" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ulh59kkaSLNBXE1y0etJSTBT0HIeVrq354qJdVHQ9sWlytaOuVAOrGI4uFvDb6ocikXg4LeRFbw6Kn24bQmRgVatV0-KJiFSQeW2AbbLJl-dVsTmHiHluzFeC-QsXX8zpfsFRuKsVpOhfSxdyAXXKKddWw726xdrO3Bg2b0cuGcCG1WjXk4HAoipwCGF/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-05%20at%2010.18.42%20AM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">Liberians will be voting next week in their fourth general
election since the end of the second civil war in 2003. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Against this backdrop, the African Elections Project sheds
light on the leading presidential candidates who are vying for the nation's
highest office on October 10 2023.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although 20 candidates have been cleared by the National
Elections Commission (NEC) to contest in this year’s general elections, two
prominent presidential contenders have emerged as frontrunners. They are
incumbent President, George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As the elections inch close, let’s delve into the profiles
of these leading presidential hopefuls, examining their backgrounds, policy
stances, and the local dynamics that influence their campaigns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">George Weah<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Weah"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">George Weah</span></b></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">, a former professional footballer and the incumbent President of
Liberia has had a fair share of ups and downs in his political journey in
Liberia. Having served <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as a United
Nations goodwill ambassador following the ousting of President Charles Taylor
in 2003, Mr.Weah contested for the presidency in 2005 under the Congress for
Democratic Change (CDC) party but lost to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in a runoff
election.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In 2011,
Weah teamed up as a vice presidential candidate on the CDC ticket with Winston
Tubman. Following the duo’s challenge of the election results and boycott of
the runoff, Johnson Sirleaf was re-elected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Weah
successfully ran for the position of senator in Montserrado County in 2014 and
later merged the CDC with other parties to form the Coalition for Democratic
Change (CDC) in preparation for the 2017 presidential election. He won the
election with 61.5% of the vote, against then Vice President, Joseph Boakai. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Despite the
initial hope and optimism surrounding George Weah's presidency in Liberia, his
tenure has faced </span><a href="https://www.democratic-erosion.com/2020/03/13/the-disappointment-of-george-weah/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">significant challenges and
disappointments.</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">
One major issue was the scandal involving the disappearance of newly printed
Liberian banknotes worth approximately </span><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/9/19/liberia-investigating-disappearance-of-100m-in-bank-notes"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">$100 million.</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Although an investigation later
deemed the allegations unfounded, it revealed a lack of transparency and proper
procedures in the central bank's actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
economic situation during Weah's presidency has also been </span><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/1/28/liberians-grow-wary-of-george-weah-as-economic-woes-deepen"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">challenging</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">, with low economic growth, high
inflation, and currency depreciation. Despite disappointment with Weah's
performance, some of his supporters on the streets of Monrovia expressed hope
that he would encourage more investment and job creation, ultimately improving
the lives of the people. They believe that giving Weah more time and support
could lead to positive changes in Liberia's economy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Joseph Boakai<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://joeboakai2023.com/about/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Joseph Nyuma Boakai</span></b></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> is a distinguished Liberian statesman with over 35 years of dedicated
public service in various sectors. He is the leader of the Unity Party. Boakai
played a crucial role as the Vice President of Liberia, serving alongside
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during Liberia's post-civil war recovery and
development. He also contested the presidency in the 2017 elections, running
against George Weah. Throughout his career, he held significant positions,
including president of the Liberian Senate, managing director of the Liberia
Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC), managing director of the Liberia
Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC), and minister of agriculture, where he shaped
agricultural policies and projects.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Boakai's 2023
campaign message focuses on unity and transformation for Liberia. The campaign
aims to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to build a brighter
future for the country, emphasizing the upcoming October 10, 2023 election as
an opportunity for collective action and change. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Alexander Cummings<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.alexanderbcummings.com/about"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Alexander Cummings</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> is a Liberian politician,
businessman, and philanthropist. He has a background in international business,
particularly with Coca-Cola, where he retired as the Chief Administrator in
2016. Cummings is the standard bearer of Liberia's Alternative National
Congress and the leader of the Collaborating Political Parties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In his 2023
campaign, Cummings pledges to prioritize Liberian interests, invest in Liberian
businesses, and support agriculture, among others. He aims to transform the
economy by adding value to raw materials and promoting manufacturing within the
country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Other candidates <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Other
candidates contesting in Liberia’s presidential election include lone female
candidate Sara Beysolow Nyanti (African Liberation League), Edward Appleton Jr.
(Grassroots Development Movement), Allen Brown Jr. (Liberia<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Restoration Party), Simeon Freeman (Movement for Progressive
Change), Tiawan Saye Gongloe (Liberian's People's Party), Lusinee Kamara Sr.
(All Liberia Coalition Party), David Kiamu (Democratic People's Party of
Liberia), Alexander Kolie (Reformers National Congress), Sheikh Kouyateh
(Liberia First Movement), Bendu Alehma Kromah (Independent), Richard Saye
Miller (Liberians for Prosperity), Clarence Moniba (Liberian National Union) and
Robert Franz Morris (Independent).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The others
are William Wiah Tuider (Democratic National Allegiance), Joshua Tom Turner
(New Liberia Party), Jeremiah Whaploe (Vision for Liberia Transformation), and
Luther Yorflee (Liberia Rebuilding Party).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b>AEP</b></p><p><b>Get the latest news and updates on elections in Africa by following us on twitter @africanelection and like our Facebook page: African Elections Project Facebook. </b></p><p><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-76129169464401455762023-10-02T09:29:00.002-07:002023-10-02T09:29:53.390-07:00Liberia 2023 Elections: All you need to know about the October 10 polls<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EtuYd6CO_mHSzGlfpqQ4uVxOaIvcACy0W9zNL3oGvxuUSpyNW0HZuaC6sRkT7N1dnxcRYiXW_W4R5ITtal-F46s8mT-VgQy40T9Laptpr2HvPJDlKAkuiQ2CbYipUyBGCw26K87ks3bXtYzeyXhcq4p0zP2w7Tgbb_4hgiCNTM4rB6bd5WMiKhSSGJoX/s940/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-02%20at%203.56.51%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EtuYd6CO_mHSzGlfpqQ4uVxOaIvcACy0W9zNL3oGvxuUSpyNW0HZuaC6sRkT7N1dnxcRYiXW_W4R5ITtal-F46s8mT-VgQy40T9Laptpr2HvPJDlKAkuiQ2CbYipUyBGCw26K87ks3bXtYzeyXhcq4p0zP2w7Tgbb_4hgiCNTM4rB6bd5WMiKhSSGJoX/w320-h242/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-02%20at%203.56.51%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Liberia
2023 elections are scheduled to be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The
election will present Liberians with the opportunity to elect their next
president, members of the House of Representatives, and the Senate. The
incumbent president, George Weah has announced his intention to seek re-election,
amidst </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.africanews.com/2022/08/30/liberia-president-weah-under-pressure-from-us-charges-against-officials/#:~:text=It%20accused%20him%20of%20%22bribing,%22%2C%20the%20US%20Treasury%20added."><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">allegations</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
of corruption and mismanagement. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This
year’s election will be the country’s fourth election after the second </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://cja.org/where-we-work/liberia/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">civil
war</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> which resulted in the death of about
250,000 people. The last time Liberia went to the polls was in 2017, when
George Weah, the current president of Liberia secured a landslide victory over
his closest contender, Joseph <span style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f;">Boakai,
securing </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42507405"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">61.5%</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
of the total valid votes cast.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Liberia practises a presidential republic with
a </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/mono/10.4324/9781003179931-99/liberia-cathy-hartley?context=ubx"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">bicameral National Assembly</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. The president is the head of state and
government and is elected by popular vote for a six-year term. The Senate has
30 seats, with two senators elected from each of the country's 15 counties.
Senators serve nine-year terms. The House of Representatives has 73 seats, with
members elected from single-member constituencies to serve six-year terms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This article provides a comprehensive overview
of the presidential election with a focus on the main contenders, key issues,
and women's participation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Main candidates<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In all, 20 candidates have been cleared by the
Liberian </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.necliberia.org/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">National Electoral Commission</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> to contest the 2023 presidential election. However,
the battle is among three contenders: the incumbent President, George Weah,
representing the Coalition for Democratic Change; Joseph Boakai from the Unity
Party; and Alexander Cummings, who represents the Collaborating Political
Parties. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Other candidates include </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Edward
Appleton Jr. (Grassroots Development Movement), Allen Brown Jr. (Liberia<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Restoration Party), Simeon Freeman
(Movement for Progressive Change), Tiawan Saye Gongloe (Liberian's People's
Party), Lusinee Kamara Sr. (All Liberia Coalition Party), David Kiamu
(Democratic People's Party of Liberia), Alexander Kolie (Reformers National
Congress), Sheikh Kouyateh (Liberia First Movement), Bendu Alehma Kromah
(Independent), Richard Saye Miller (Liberians for Prosperity), Clarence Moniba
(Liberian National Union) and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert
Franz Morris (Independent).<span style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
rest are Sara Beysolow Nyanti (African Liberation League), William Wiah Tuider
(Democratic National Allegiance), Joshua Tom Turner (New Liberia Party),
Jeremiah Whaploe (Vision for Liberia Transformation), and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luther Yorflee (Liberia Rebuilding Party).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Key Issues for Liberian Voters in the 2023 Elections<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As Liberia gears up for its presidential and
parliamentary elections, several critical issues are at the forefront of
voters' minds. The challenges facing the nation include economic hardships,
concerns over electoral violence, the need for job creation, rampant
corruption, and the fragile peace that Liberia seeks to preserve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.afdb.org/en/countries/west-africa/liberia/liberia-economic-outlook#:~:text=The%20fiscal%20deficit%20widened%20to,in%202021%2C%20reflecting%20increased%20borrowing."><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Economic challenges</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> have weighed heavily on the minds of many
Liberians, with rising living costs and financial struggles making daily life
increasingly difficult. A significant portion of Liberia's population, more
than a fifth, lives on less than </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/poverty/987B9C90-CB9F-4D93-AE8C-750588BF00QA/current/Global_POVEQ_LBR.pdf"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">$2.15</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> per day, according to World Bank estimates. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The issue of </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230811-rising-prices-peace-on-liberian-voters-minds"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">electoral violence</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> is another major concern, rooted in Liberia's
history of back-to-back civil wars from 1989 to 2003. Recent events, such as
the parading of a candidate's </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.liberianobserver.com/liberia-ecowas-demands-issues-based-campaign-amidst-controversial-casket-display"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">photograph on a coffin</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> during a campaign event, have fuelled these
worries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230811-rising-prices-peace-on-liberian-voters-minds"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Corruption</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> remains endemic in Liberia, despite promises
from previous election campaigns to combat it. Trust in the political
establishment has eroded further following allegations of corruption involving
high-ranking officials and their close allies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Women Participation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The issue of fair representation of women in
the electoral process remains a concern. Recent data from the National
Elections Commission (NEC) reveals that only </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.eisa.org/political-parties-take-a-promising-step-towards-securing-womens-inclusion-in-liberias-2023-elections/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">15%</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> of the candidates fielded by political parties are women. This falls
short of both Liberia's Constitutional Provisions for equal representation and
the </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.eisa.org/political-parties-take-a-promising-step-towards-securing-womens-inclusion-in-liberias-2023-elections/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">30%</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> gender quota voluntarily agreed upon by political parties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While Liberia lacks legislated gender quotas,
political parties can implement voluntary quotas for candidate lists and
leadership positions. They can also provide financial support to women
candidates, a common practice in many African countries. However, despite
signing a </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.liberianobserver.com/liberia-nec-political-parties-sign-mou-gender-quota-0"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Memorandum of Understanding</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> (MoU) committing to a 30% gender quota,
Liberia's political parties have consistently failed to meet this target during
candidate nomination processes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-22462007446864777752023-10-02T01:54:00.000-07:002023-10-02T01:54:01.633-07:00Gabon: Ali Bongo's wife charged with money laundering<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO3F7o0UbY0Gxczry-ymFxKMuc8tyFMx0dzKpFDuZzFwZyCRFePyP-ZoKt9rkhxAi3vdZoud1g-P5nhEC3wwOg46_ATF6LHJs5_mHh4ZucMg76IAeEF-C2_J6C59LDhTSwDWiTOtLVqhAnCCHL9ai-KXRTUAI9oAEC2a7Prv09myXpUu4o3slOft2ayeW/s680/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-02%20at%2008.48.15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="680" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO3F7o0UbY0Gxczry-ymFxKMuc8tyFMx0dzKpFDuZzFwZyCRFePyP-ZoKt9rkhxAi3vdZoud1g-P5nhEC3wwOg46_ATF6LHJs5_mHh4ZucMg76IAeEF-C2_J6C59LDhTSwDWiTOtLVqhAnCCHL9ai-KXRTUAI9oAEC2a7Prv09myXpUu4o3slOft2ayeW/w320-h191/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-02%20at%2008.48.15.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "Work Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "Work Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>Sylvia Bongo, the wife of Gabon's ousted President Ali Bongo, has been charged with money laundering, receiving stolen property, forgery, and the use of forgery.</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Work Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Public prosecutor Andre Patrick Roponat announced, on Friday, that Sylvia Bongo's case had been brought before an investigating judge the day before.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Work Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">He also said her house arrest order was being upheld.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Work Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The charges follow weeks of uncertainty about Mrs Bongo's whereabouts after she was put under house arrest on 30 August when the military deposed her husband.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Work Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The decision to charge the former first lady comes after her son Noureddin Bongo Valentin was also charged with corruption and embezzlement and placed in pre-trial detention.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Work Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">However, deposed President Ali Bongo, whose tenure was replete with accusations of corruption, has been released by the military junta and cleared to travel abroad for medical attention if he wishes.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Work Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Source: <b><a href="https://www.myjoyonline.com/gabon-first-lady-charged-with-money-laundering/" target="_blank">BBC</a></b></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-85167469322625557852023-09-21T05:20:00.001-07:002023-09-21T05:20:24.826-07:00Rwanda 2024: President Kagame to run for fourth term<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBjq0yTDXWsYUesTla4bgtZOPM4fhEYfu13WI6AER4PsgrJejkCn_ywcXqTuLQHEBt2Sh4K1pG4BnBS7AJRXyz4IFSN5TDwGc5mE7CwJeya4FS5LGGzY71dSfoNHzg7lKyZXcF22HR5S8QGWhMQWnuu0VeXZiziA1bl5nnG1nS1eXyCJOiT__bIQh3QLV/s1024/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-09-21%20at%2012.19.07%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBjq0yTDXWsYUesTla4bgtZOPM4fhEYfu13WI6AER4PsgrJejkCn_ywcXqTuLQHEBt2Sh4K1pG4BnBS7AJRXyz4IFSN5TDwGc5mE7CwJeya4FS5LGGzY71dSfoNHzg7lKyZXcF22HR5S8QGWhMQWnuu0VeXZiziA1bl5nnG1nS1eXyCJOiT__bIQh3QLV/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-09-21%20at%2012.19.07%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In a recent revelation, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has officially declared his candidacy for a fourth term in the upcoming 2024 elections. The announcement came during an interview with Jeune Afrique, a prominent French-language news magazine.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">President Kagame, who has maintained a firm grip on the country for an extended period, expressed gratitude for the trust Rwandans have placed in him. He affirmed his commitment to serve the nation as long as he can.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Notably, the Rwandan government made the decision to synchronize the dates for both parliamentary and presidential elections which are set to take place in August next year.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Kagame's intentions regarding a fourth term had been ambiguous until now. In 2015, his administration oversaw controversial constitutional amendments that allowed for the possibility of him running for more terms, potentially extending his rule until 2034.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Kagame's political journey began in 2000 when he assumed the presidency, although he had effectively been the country's leader since the conclusion of the tragic 1994 genocide. He has secured victories in previous elections, consistently receiving over 90 percent of the vote, in the years 2003, 2010, and 2017.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">While Rwanda is often regarded as one of the most stable countries in Africa, human rights organizations have accused Kagame's regime of governing in an environment characterized by fear and the suppression of dissent and freedom of speech.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">An illustrative case is that of Paul Rusesabagina, known as the "Hotel Rwanda" hero, who had been a vocal critic of Kagame. In 2021, Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years in prison on terrorism charges. His arrest, which took place the previous year, raised international attention as he believed he was being flown to Burundi but ended up in Kigali, a situation his family described as a kidnapping.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rusesabagina was released from incarceration in March this year and was flown to the United States following a presidential pardon. In July, he released a video message stating that Rwandans were "prisoners in their own country."</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The press freedom situation in Rwanda has also drawn scrutiny. According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, the country ranks 131 out of 180 countries.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Kagame's ascent to power in 2000 marked a turning point in Rwanda's history when his Rwandan Patriotic Front party ousted Hutu extremists responsible for the 1994 genocide, during which approximately 800,000 people, mainly Tutsi but also moderate Hutus, lost their lives between April and July 1994.</p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-85685575361045176502023-08-30T02:34:00.000-07:002023-08-30T02:34:02.890-07:00Gabonese military officers say they have captured power from President Bongo<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e6GHpFDcVBEL6RDi2PX1dQfmUn88dRJT-H7hrx2eDr5tJ_uSaEUj37nQIIIyQhwBVdAODdjh3h3tC4mrv9rN--3ylEw7ajPJxNmyagAoyUBAFSDqimrqC3AqFBZRu0t4ZikP3yKrTJFvGZYNbrJkFcqFQouYeC4RfCnu75KYmR6-0bnA_CB08IwdMMtf/s570/gabon.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="570" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e6GHpFDcVBEL6RDi2PX1dQfmUn88dRJT-H7hrx2eDr5tJ_uSaEUj37nQIIIyQhwBVdAODdjh3h3tC4mrv9rN--3ylEw7ajPJxNmyagAoyUBAFSDqimrqC3AqFBZRu0t4ZikP3yKrTJFvGZYNbrJkFcqFQouYeC4RfCnu75KYmR6-0bnA_CB08IwdMMtf/s320/gabon.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Gabon's
military officers say they have taken over power following the electoral
commission’s declaration of President Bongo as the winner of the 2023
presidential elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Appearing
on national television on Wednesday morning, the senior military
officers, who described themselves as members of the </span><span style="color: #252525; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span style="color: #252525;">Committee
of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions</span><span style="color: #252525; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span><span style="color: #252525;">, announced
they were canceling the results of the election and dissolving </span><span style="color: #252525; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span style="color: #252525;">all
the institutions of the republic</span><span style="color: #252525; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”</span><span style="color: #252525;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">One
of the twelve soldiers said on TV channel Gabon 24: </span><span style="color: #252525; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span style="color: #252525;">We
have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime.</span><span style="color: #252525; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">If
successful, President Bongo’s overthrow would end his family's 56-year
hold on power in Gabon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">T</span><span style="color: #252525;">he whereabouts of
President Bongo have been unknown since last Saturday, after he cast his vote.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Like
has been the case in many previous elections in Gabon, the 2023 general
elections were fraught with many irregularities. Many Gabonese and institutions
such as Election Without Borders raised serious concerns about the process and
questioned the validity of the results.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">According
to the Gabonese Election Centre, President Bongo won the
election with 64.27% of the vote, with his main contender, Albert
Ondo Ossa, coming in second with 30.77%.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Main
opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa alleges that many polling stations
lack</span><span style="color: #252525; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ed </span><span style="color: #252525;">ballot papers bearing his name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">If successful,
this would be the eighth coup in former French colonies in Africa in the past
three years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-77533907900161562112023-08-26T03:14:00.003-07:002023-08-26T03:14:45.013-07:00#Gabon2023 : Les Urnes S'ouvrent Alors que 850 000 Personnes Votent pour Élire un Nouveau Dirigeant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnpAB546FTTDgl_Ojd15rr3Qqmi3vM7J107FeXdPMTDyxCNoAM090ojkuL74JwRc4RnNlwxJXvSk76DiyiDvli0YbopGhYTuXk3bwoqu2S8Zl4QI7iZXJRuDmhHdWIQjd0yQCsbpJrCM7wSegkvLSS6aJhPlIZQ06i5CXjIh6ak_fbbbeUYjGQRMZIhgk/s680/F4boDGvWQAA3anL.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="680" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnpAB546FTTDgl_Ojd15rr3Qqmi3vM7J107FeXdPMTDyxCNoAM090ojkuL74JwRc4RnNlwxJXvSk76DiyiDvli0YbopGhYTuXk3bwoqu2S8Zl4QI7iZXJRuDmhHdWIQjd0yQCsbpJrCM7wSegkvLSS6aJhPlIZQ06i5CXjIh6ak_fbbbeUYjGQRMZIhgk/s320/F4boDGvWQAA3anL.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Le Gabon se rend aux urnes aujourd'hui pour élire un nouveau dirigeant ainsi que les membres de l'Assemblée Nationale du pays. </p><p>Les bureaux de vote ont ouvert leurs portes à travers le pays à 8h00 heure locale et sont prévus pour fermer à 17h00 GMT. </p><p>Les électeurs auront la tâche de voter à la fois pour un président et pour les membres du parlement simultanément, sur un seul bulletin de vote, en conformité avec les nouvelles lois électorales.</p><p>Le Président en exercice, Ali Bongo Ondimba, se présente pour sa réélection et fait face à une concurrence féroce de la part de 13 autres candidats, dont Albert Ondo Ossa. M. Ossa est devenu le principal candidat de l'opposition après avoir reçu l'approbation de cinq autres candidats de l'opposition qui ont retiré leurs candidatures pour le soutenir au sein d'une coalition appelée "Alternance 2023".</p><p>Bongo, qui est le candidat du Parti Démocratique Gabonais (PDG) au pouvoir, a succédé à son père, Omar Bongo, qui a régné d'une main de fer de 1967 à 2009. </p><p>Le Gabon a amendé ses lois électorales en avril, réduisant les mandats présidentiels de 7 à 5 ans sans limitation de mandats, et abolissant un second tour de scrutin.</p><p>L'élection présidentielle gabonaise se déroule en un seul tour de scrutin majoritaire. En substance, le candidat arrivé en tête est déclaré élu.</p><p>Le Parlement du pays se compose d'une Assemblée Nationale de 143 sièges, dont les membres sont élus au suffrage universel pour des mandats de cinq ans, et d'un Sénat de 67 sièges, dont 52 sont élus directement, tandis que 15 sont nommés par le président.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>AEP</b></p><p>Recevez les dernières actualités et mises à jour sur les élections en Afrique en nous suivant sur Twitter @africanelection et en aimant notre page Facebook : African Elections Project.</p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-36855285441816912212023-08-25T12:06:00.000-07:002023-08-25T12:06:31.734-07:00 Les Élections de 2023 au Gabon : Où Sont les Femmes?<p><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc-iutI1PZbKYTCuEFOLhVekmQLElIOCK1IM04d95aFcS9GXxO4Gzrxf2rQFMkFKDuWPNfqEnSY7otLh7rLSrlIe5sZ3aJEwocPCQDBENqNxo9hesAYylq7Lt7jhMqFutxLYyS5EvkpIiWf21UxKC6DCWbocU1oPFNCx1wwIKlQ3B0mNqUyzLKAk6f2oc/s2048/WomenSmileGabon-byUNWomen-viaFlickrCC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc-iutI1PZbKYTCuEFOLhVekmQLElIOCK1IM04d95aFcS9GXxO4Gzrxf2rQFMkFKDuWPNfqEnSY7otLh7rLSrlIe5sZ3aJEwocPCQDBENqNxo9hesAYylq7Lt7jhMqFutxLYyS5EvkpIiWf21UxKC6DCWbocU1oPFNCx1wwIKlQ3B0mNqUyzLKAk6f2oc/s320/WomenSmileGabon-byUNWomen-viaFlickrCC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Le Gabon, ce petit pays riche en pétrole qui s'étend le long de l'équateur sur la côte ouest de l'Afrique, est le plus prospère parmi les anciennes colonies françaises. À l'approche du 26 août, le pays se tient au seuil d'un moment crucial de son histoire démocratique. L'élection imminente détermine non seulement la direction de la nation, mais elle symbolise également une avancée dans le renforcement de ses institutions et de ses pratiques démocratiques.<p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Le Président en exercice, Ali Bongo Ondimba, se présente pour sa réélection. Le Parti Gabonais du Développement (PGD), dont il est membre, dirige le pays de manière continue depuis l'indépendance de la France en 1960, incluant 41 années sous la gouvernance du père de Bongo, Omar Bongo.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Le Président du Gabon est élu pour un mandat de cinq ans, récemment réduit de sept ans en avril 2023. L'élection présidentielle gabonaise se déroule en un seul tour de scrutin majoritaire. En substance, le candidat arrivé en tête est déclaré élu.
Le Parlement du pays se compose d'une Assemblée Nationale de 143 sièges, dont les membres sont élus au suffrage universel pour des mandats de cinq ans, et d'un Sénat de 67 sièges, dont 52 sont élus directement, tandis que 15 sont nommés par le président.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Où Sont les Femmes?</b></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tout comme de nombreux pays africains, le Gabon a pris des mesures importantes pour ancrer le principe de l'égalité des sexes dans la loi. Dès 2015, la "Décennie de la Femme Gabonaise" a été instituée par le Président Ali Bongo Ondimba, accompagnée de la création d'un ministère dédié. De même, en 2018, la Constitution a été révisée pour consacrer le principe de parité entre les hommes et les femmes dans la vie politique et professionnelle. Pourtant, malgré ces avancées prometteuses, la sous-représentation des femmes dans les postes de responsabilité persiste au Gabon. Par exemple, à l'Assemblée Nationale, à peine 19 % des députés sont des femmes et aucune Gabonaise n'a jamais été élue à la plus haute fonction.
</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cependant, dans les échelons supérieurs du gouvernement, quelques femmes ont brisé le plafond de verre : la nomination de Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda en tant que Premier Ministre en 2020 fut une première historique. Aujourd'hui, elle est Vice-Présidente de la République. Quelques autres femmes pionnières ont fait leur apparition dans les sphères politiques, économiques, judiciaires et administratives supérieures du Gabon. Parmi elles, Lucie Milebou-Aubusson (sénatrice et présidente de la chambre haute du parlement gabonais).</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">En réalité, les femmes restent encore trop peu nombreuses pour surmonter les défis de la parité. Pour l'élection présidentielle de 2023, seulement deux des 19 candidats à la présidence sont des femmes : Paulette Missambo, Présidente de l'Union Nationale, et Victoire Lasseni Duboze, Présidente de l'Union des Alliances pour une Nouvelle Afrique (UANA).</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Il existe de nombreuses raisons à cette sous-représentation : la persistance des stéréotypes de genre qui cantonnent les femmes à la sphère domestique et privée, la politique étant perçue comme un bastion masculin ; les inégalités dans la répartition des tâches familiales, qui rendent particulièrement difficile l'implication des femmes en politique ; l'accès inégal au financement et aux réseaux politiques, les hommes bénéficiant plus facilement de soutien et d'opportunités ; le faible profil médiatique des femmes en politique, renforçant leur manque de visibilité ; et l'influence des traditions communautaires qui accordent moins de poids public aux femmes.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bien que des progrès aient été réalisés, la route vers une véritable parité dans la politique gabonaise reste semée d'obstacles pour les femmes gabonaises. Pour beaucoup, des réformes structurelles, un changement de mentalité et le renforcement de la capacité d'action politique des femmes leur permettront de relever ce défi difficile.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>AEP</b></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Obtenez les dernières nouvelles et mises à jour sur les élections en Afrique en nous suivant sur Twitter @africanelection et en aimant notre page Facebook : African Elections Project.</p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-8950709155470076272023-08-25T07:02:00.006-07:002023-08-25T07:02:49.797-07:00Les Élections de 2023 au Gabon : À la Rencontre des Principaux Contendants<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiZQoTCqbTYhMUV-Y9-wnmBmgSIORah6Dr39DC4jVOTWwR7GJQq4HMqeg2LJDTJMCEQamlrM6VXbLFnJv3jVKDdFD8oT9O9godstRxc0wp5Ze4yn-lC35942L1B4A5QXczgJLd19YgyzOQKPlyVjZSwDY2dPamwRuDdMUGGPzYYD4_zKs0eE9qmv9-mdw/s640/20121120.VotingIfFearOTI-page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="640" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiZQoTCqbTYhMUV-Y9-wnmBmgSIORah6Dr39DC4jVOTWwR7GJQq4HMqeg2LJDTJMCEQamlrM6VXbLFnJv3jVKDdFD8oT9O9godstRxc0wp5Ze4yn-lC35942L1B4A5QXczgJLd19YgyzOQKPlyVjZSwDY2dPamwRuDdMUGGPzYYD4_zKs0eE9qmv9-mdw/w334-h230/20121120.VotingIfFearOTI-page.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Le Gabon se dirige vers les urnes pour élire un nouveau président, des législateurs et des dirigeants locaux le samedi 26 août 2023. Ce scrutin est considéré comme un test crucial pour la démocratie du pays, car le président sortant Ali Bongo brigue un troisième mandat présidentiel.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pour beaucoup, les prochaines élections générales au Gabon ne sont pas seulement un simple événement politique, mais elles définiront le ton de la direction économique, sociale et politique du pays pour les cinq prochaines années.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Selon le Centre des Élections Gabonaises, 19 candidats sont éligibles pour concourir à l'élection présidentielle. Parmi les 19 candidats en lice pour devenir le prochain président du Gabon, <a href="https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20230823-%C3%A9lections-au-gabon-l-opposition-s-organise-autour-de-la-candidature-d-albert-ondo-ossa">cinq d'entre eux ont apporté leur soutien</a> à l'économiste et universitaire Albert Ondo Ossa, avec l'espoir de mettre fin à la règle de 56 ans de la famille Bongo sur ce pays riche en pétrole.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cet article présente les profils des principaux prétendants, mettant en lumière leurs parcours, leurs visions et leurs aspirations pour le peuple gabonais.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Bongo_Ondimba"><b>Ali Bongo Odimba du Parti Démocratique Gabonais</b></a></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Agé de 64 ans, Ali Bongo est le président actuel du Gabon et le leader du Parti Démocratique Gabonais, un parti fondé par son père, Omar Bongo Odimba. Il a été élu en 2009 après le décès de son père qui avait été président du Gabon pendant 42 ans. Ali Bongo a été réélu en 2016, lors d'une élection contestée par l'opposition en raison de fraudes présumées. Ensemble, la famille Bongo a maintenu le pouvoir pendant les 56 dernières années grâce à une combinaison de facteurs, dont un gouvernement à parti unique et des allégations de corruption.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Au cours des dernières décennies, la constitution gabonaise a été modifiée à de nombreuses reprises pour permettre aux Bongo de rester au pouvoir. Par exemple, en 2003, la limite constitutionnelle de mandats présidentiels a été supprimée, ouvrant la voie à un mandat à vie pour son père. De plus, le système électoral traditionnel à deux tours a été changé en un système à un seul tour, privant ainsi ses opposants de la possibilité de ballottage lors des élections.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ces derniers temps, les critiques ont accusé le président Bongo de ne pas utiliser correctement la richesse pétrolière du pays pour réduire la pauvreté et le chômage, et ont remis en question sa capacité à gouverner après avoir été victime d'un AVC en 2018. Néanmoins, Bongo mène une campagne vigoureuse à travers le pays, espérant que le peuple gabonais lui donnera une autre opportunité.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Son message de campagne se concentre sur la réduction des frais de scolarité dans les écoles publiques et l'augmentation des subventions familiales.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20230823-%C3%A9lections-au-gabon-l-opposition-s-organise-autour-de-la-candidature-d-albert-ondo-ossa"><b>Albert Ondo Ossa</b></a></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Agé de 69 ans, Albert Ondo Ossa est professeur d'économie et ancien ministre de l'éducation du Gabon. Il a été désigné le vendredi 18 août 2023 comme le candidat consensuel par cinq grands partis d'opposition, avec l'espoir de mettre fin à la mainmise de 56 ans de la famille Bongo sur le pouvoir.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sa campagne met l'accent sur l'amélioration des conditions économiques du peuple gabonais, en particulier à une époque où la majorité des citoyens vivent en dessous du seuil de pauvreté et du chômage. M. Ossa est convaincu que la richesse pétrolière du pays devrait être gérée de manière à bénéficier à l'ensemble de la population.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Claver_Maganga_Moussavou"><b>Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou du Parti Démocratique Social (PDS)</b></a></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Agé de 71 ans, Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou est le leader du Parti Démocratique Social. En 2017, M. Moussavou, qui a également été ministre sous feu le président Omar Bongo Odimba, a été nommé vice-président par le président Ali Bongo, dans une démarche de réconciliation après les élections contestées de 2016. Cependant, en 2019, il a été renvoyé suite à des allégations de trafic de bois. Maganga-Il s'agit de sa cinquième tentative pour devenir président du Gabon. Moussavou s'engage à décentraliser le pouvoir et à accorder plus d'importance aux provinces et à la population gabonaise rurale.
</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Qui l'emportera ?</b></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bien que les partisans du président Bongo le présentent comme le favori, il n'y a pas de preuve fiable pour étayer cela. Les victoires précédentes du président Bongo ont été contestées par les partis d'opposition, l'accusant de fraude électorale. Déjà, les tensions montent à l'approche du scrutin alors que les partis d'opposition expriment des inquiétudes quant aux récentes modifications électorales, notamment l'adoption d'un système de vote à un seul tour au lieu du système à deux tours, qu'ils estiment favoriserait le président Bongo.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Une défaite pour Bongo pourrait être un revers majeur en ce qui concerne ses initiatives environnementales qui ont conduit à la protection de la part du Gabon dans le bassin du Congo, permettant au pays de se positionner en tant qu'absorbeur net de dioxyde de carbone, tandis qu'une victoire de l'opposition insufflerait un nouvel élan à la démocratie gabonaise et offrirait une nouvelle orientation pour le pays.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>AEP</b></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Suivez les dernières nouvelles et mises à jour sur les élections en Afrique en nous suivant sur Twitter @africanelection et en aimant notre page Facebook : Projet Élections Africaines.</p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-55243425103748349152023-08-24T07:51:00.000-07:002023-08-24T07:51:08.836-07:00#ZimDecides2023 UPDATE: Voting continues into day two<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliZ7sqoaL41TaLv-qjO8SBENOqCQNba5a-UaGoQNNW46SgeW0KVvPpYYa2Hh-MW8JgBjl3tGkxHNAJxNneDdLq-4edqYhVpXEmZ45fM8G5MIfhfn3SqKgntrHMGFavJJjF2JATzc8NCMASJAsOfFf2NSo5_2D1vYSSJ2lNpndWcQe8gkeceGtwDFuxjTk/s2480/afp.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1653" data-original-width="2480" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliZ7sqoaL41TaLv-qjO8SBENOqCQNba5a-UaGoQNNW46SgeW0KVvPpYYa2Hh-MW8JgBjl3tGkxHNAJxNneDdLq-4edqYhVpXEmZ45fM8G5MIfhfn3SqKgntrHMGFavJJjF2JATzc8NCMASJAsOfFf2NSo5_2D1vYSSJ2lNpndWcQe8gkeceGtwDFuxjTk/s320/afp.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Source: AFP</div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended voting
by a day as thousands of Zimbabweans could not cast their ballot yesterday due
to delays and shortage of ballot papers at various polling centers.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This was made by the President in a <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/24/voting-extends-into-second-day-in-zimbabwe-after-multiple-delays" target="_blank">statement</a> published on
his various social media pages.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">40 wards including 11 in Harare which has the highest number
of registered voters.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Voting began in the morning of 23<sup>rd</sup> August and
closed officially at 7pm amidst significant delays and inefficiencies mostly in
the capital and Bulawayo. Some polling stations reportedly started voting an
hour to the closing time while some voted late into the of voting day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a statement yesterday, the electoral commission blamed
the delays on late printing of ballot papers caused by court challenges. In a
tweet on Thursday morning, the EC admonished Zimbabweans “<i>to be patient and
observe peace while results are being counted and collated.”</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meanwhile, the leader of the main opposition has claimed
that the presidential result is “settled”, insinuating that the 6.6 million
voters have picked him over President Mnangagwa.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In another development, members of the opposition Citizens
Coalition for Change claim one person died yesterday in an attempt to cast his
vote in Harare.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reports also indicate that staff of some civil society
organizations have been arrested. In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon
in connection to the arrests, Zimbabwe based Crisis Coalition, representing 92
NGOs<i> condemned what it calls a “state crackdown on CSOs” in wake of the
elections”.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The presidential election results are expected to be declared
by the EC within 5 days according to the electoral law.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In all, 10 candidates are running for president to lead the
South African country for the next five (5) years.</span></p><p></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-2483588295498704682023-08-23T12:52:00.001-07:002023-08-23T12:52:10.985-07:00#ZimDecides2023: Polls officially close in an election fraught with irregularities and disenfranchisement<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRgJcB3imVFN6bZhvrn2ktyYC_fcQTTI1ufzIEWx4QA9fp9uLg79XaxK8utpyZXkJ2uTVZ7MRFgbp2bgHc7XC5FRStUQ02NK4hXKVgb8HI3NyL8cfVn6a8RvYkgLEVmudyoXQv834cQ2ujK36vrg2Hjwj1-7273eb3kE8Uon_yJ57XmWvH_Rlu3GjFBNl/s680/F4N72OTXIAAKxor.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="680" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRgJcB3imVFN6bZhvrn2ktyYC_fcQTTI1ufzIEWx4QA9fp9uLg79XaxK8utpyZXkJ2uTVZ7MRFgbp2bgHc7XC5FRStUQ02NK4hXKVgb8HI3NyL8cfVn6a8RvYkgLEVmudyoXQv834cQ2ujK36vrg2Hjwj1-7273eb3kE8Uon_yJ57XmWvH_Rlu3GjFBNl/s320/F4N72OTXIAAKxor.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Polls have officially closed in most parts of
Zimbabwe according to the electoral commission schedule in a vote fraught with
brazen infractions and disenfranchisement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Counting has begun in polling stations where voting
took place without significant hitches<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Several polling stations in the capital Harare and
Bulawayo believed to be strongholds of the main opposition are yet to start
voting as at 7pm local time which is the time for closing polls.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Open Parly ZW, a local media organization in the
country reported that some polling stations were starting to vote around an
hour or two to the official closing time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The EC had earlier stated that voters who are in the
queues by 7pm local time will be allowed to vote while polling stations that
experienced delays will be compensation in equal measure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It also blamed court cases in the urban centres for
delaying the printing of ballot papers leading to the inefficiencies
experienced on voting day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa has held a
press conference accusing the ruling party of conniving with the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (ZEC).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“This is a clear case of voter suppression, a
classic case of Stone Age, antiquated, analog rigging,” he stated in the
capital Harare.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Several instances of misinformation and intimidation
tactics were reported mostly in the urban areas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Civil society organizations including the Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights and Crisis Coalition have expressed dissatisfaction
with ZEC for their handling of the elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Largely, voting has been peaceful but an opposition
spokesman has claimed that one person had died “fighting to cast his vote” in
Warren Park, Harare. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According to the electoral law, results are expected
to be declared within five (5) days.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-4222599560113129232023-08-23T07:59:00.003-07:002023-08-23T08:09:41.729-07:00#ZimDecides2023 UPDATE: Voting underway peacefully but delays and inefficiencies take center stage<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mqfTB5UFY4S2L_ijof18eM5CGvxInOKb74fFSjaFEf4wVzpTLjeRdF13GSChebEt_TNJfenyEv3G6iH3vVDTfhdePVXZp8pWhTF4rIzeTvcwBzl4g10jieYAddVfVioLNOCHWak97toUARAtnMKs9dR1_kWtCm_KOI8DrUJi8vUs8y8VeLgE0fYkWrf8/s1600/sk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mqfTB5UFY4S2L_ijof18eM5CGvxInOKb74fFSjaFEf4wVzpTLjeRdF13GSChebEt_TNJfenyEv3G6iH3vVDTfhdePVXZp8pWhTF4rIzeTvcwBzl4g10jieYAddVfVioLNOCHWak97toUARAtnMKs9dR1_kWtCm_KOI8DrUJi8vUs8y8VeLgE0fYkWrf8/w332-h197/sk.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Credit: Sky News</div><p></p><p><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Voting is underway in most parts of Zimbabwe as the
country goes through the process of electing a president, members of the
national assembly and councilors for the next five years.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The president and candidate for the ruling party
voted in the early hours of the day while his main contender, Nelson Chamisa
voted hours later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">10 candidates are contesting for the presidency
after Douglas Mwonzora of the MDC pulled out weeks to the vote cutting down the
number from the initial 11.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Polls opened officially at 7:00am local time but 8
hours later, several polling stations are still yet to vote according to media
reports.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Voting is expected to close at 7:00pm local time
across the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has stated
that voters in the queue by 7:00pm will be allowed to vote although Open Parly
ZW, a media platform based in Harare monitored by the African Elections Project
reported that the directive is not being observed in some polling stations they
have observed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">ZEC also said polling stations that have witnessed
delays will receive an extension in equal measure as the delay endured.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Meanwhile, local media reported missing names on the voter rolls
as well as candidates on ballot papers in some constituencies. This sentiment
has been corroborated by the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change
(CCC).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The CCC has since called on its representatives and
agents across the country to remain vigilant and not be deterred by the
“intimidation tactics” of ZANU PF, the ruling party.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">In one instance, the Finance Minister and the ruling
party’s candidate for Cowdray Park Bulawayo, Mthuli Ncube had to leave his
polling station because there were no ballot papers to vote.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Open Parly ZW also observed irregularities including
lack of ballot papers for some national assembly elections and councilor
elections with the EC providing only presidential ballot papers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Majority of the irregularities and absence of ballot
papers have been witnessed in urban centres including the capital Harare and
Bulawayo which are believed to be strongholds of the opposition based on
previous election results.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Nonetheless, Women in Politics Support Unit, a Harare-based
organization has praised the participation of women so far. The organization
reported a good number of women are showing up to vote and in some cases, more
women are seen in voting queues than men.<o:p></o:p></span></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-30997144172012207302023-08-23T01:36:00.002-07:002023-08-23T01:43:13.752-07:00Zimbabwe votes for a president to lead the country for the next 5 years<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><img alt="A woman casts her vote at Stanley Hall polling station in the township of Makokoba on July 30, 2018" class="ssrcss-evoj7m-Image edrdn950" height="311" loading="eager" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/1300A/production/_130043877_zimvoter.jpg" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/1300A/production/_130043877_zimvoter.jpg 240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/1300A/production/_130043877_zimvoter.jpg 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1300A/production/_130043877_zimvoter.jpg 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/1300A/production/_130043877_zimvoter.jpg 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/1300A/production/_130043877_zimvoter.jpg 800w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/1300A/production/_130043877_zimvoter.jpg 976w" style="text-align: start;" width="563" /></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Voting has officially opened today,Wednesday, August 23, 2023 across more than 12,300 polling stations in Zimbabwe. It is expected that close to 6.6 million registered voters will cast their ballots to elect members of parliament, the president, and councilors who will run the affairs of the country for the next 5 years. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">This will be the second general election since former </span><a href="https://www.dw.com/en/zimbabwes-robert-mugabe-blames-coup-detat-for-his-departure/a-42998707" style="color: #954f72;">President Robert Mugabe</a><span style="color: #252525;"> was ousted from office following a coup in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">In all, there are </span><a href="https://africanelections.blogspot.com/2023/08/zimbabwes-2023-presidential-election.html" style="color: #954f72;">12 presidential candidates</a><span style="color: #252525;"> on the ballot. However, the main contest is expected to be between</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;"> 80 year old </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;"> </span><a href="https://africanelections.blogspot.com/2023/08/zimbabwes-2023-presidential-election.html" style="color: #954f72;">President Emmerson Mnangagwa</a><span style="color: #252525;">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">of the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;"> </span><a href="https://www.zanupf.org.zw/" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">, </span><span style="color: #252525;">who is nicknamed </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">“</span><span style="color: #252525;">The Crocodile</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">”</span><span style="color: #252525;">,</span></i><span style="color: #252525;"> and 45-year-old opposition leader </span><a href="https://africanelections.blogspot.com/2023/08/zimbabwes-2023-presidential-election.html" style="color: #954f72;">Nelson Chamisa</a><span style="color: #252525;"> of the </span><a href="https://ukandicitizenscoalitionforchange.org/" style="color: #954f72;">Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).</a><span style="color: #252525;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Opposition leader Chamisa is hopeful he will break the 43-year rule of the</span><span style="color: #252525;"> </span><a href="https://www.zanupf.org.zw/" style="color: #954f72;"><span lang="EN-US">Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">, </span><span style="color: #252525;">while Mnangagwa is seeking his second and final term in office.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Beyond the presidential elections, Zimbabweans will also vote for 210 national lawmakers and 1,970 local government and municipal leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Although polls were opened on time, some polls have remained closed due to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">“</span><span style="color: #252525;">logistical issues</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">”</span><span style="color: #252525;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">According to the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">Zimbabwe E</span><span style="color: #252525;">lectoral </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">C</span><span style="color: #252525;">ommission, vote counting will start as soon as polling stations close, and parliamentary results are expected to trickle in over the course of </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">t</span><span style="color: #252525;">hursday morning. The presidential result is </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">also </span><span style="color: #252525;">expected to come later, though well ahead of a five-day deadline.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">For a candidate to be declared the winner of the presidential election, he or she must secure more than 50 percent of the total votes cast. If there is no outright winner, a run-off between the top two candidates will be held on October 2.</span><span style="color: #252525;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">Unlike the presidential election, the </span><span style="color: #252525;">parliamentary and local council candidates only need a simple majority of votes cast.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #252525;">It is believed that t</span><span style="color: #252525;">he cost-of-living crisis in Zimbabwe, coupled with crippling power outages and an unstable local currency, are some of the key issues that will shape this year’s election.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;">Meanwhile, polls are expected to close at 7 p.m. (17:00 GMT) to make way for counting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;"> </span><b><span style="color: #333333;">AEP</span></b><span style="color: #252525;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Get the latest news and updates on elections in Africa by following us on twitter @africanelection and like our Facebook page: African Elections Project Facebook. </span></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #252525;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448931847052966770.post-42844311436279712492023-08-22T13:40:00.004-07:002023-08-22T13:40:47.082-07:0010 Facts and figures you should know about Zimbabwe’s 2023 General Elections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvMpICMKTARVsJlQVFlpzAGdYPdTFdK-Zfof_8kR9DOLxMv65XtdV0z3TTQwU1nXmT5_1T0GO8BRpkeEME7bTw_BOOvYYzWgMKIxp-3wf8KyFfjPK4ThndEAnkaBpaYumaY69nSuF-G4dB5NiXWPTJbUdDJYv-hdCJ08nertounorlU009SVglhOVfGMa/s500/Aqua%20&%20Black%20Cloud%20Upload%20Brand%20Logo%20(6).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvMpICMKTARVsJlQVFlpzAGdYPdTFdK-Zfof_8kR9DOLxMv65XtdV0z3TTQwU1nXmT5_1T0GO8BRpkeEME7bTw_BOOvYYzWgMKIxp-3wf8KyFfjPK4ThndEAnkaBpaYumaY69nSuF-G4dB5NiXWPTJbUdDJYv-hdCJ08nertounorlU009SVglhOVfGMa/w320-h278/Aqua%20&%20Black%20Cloud%20Upload%20Brand%20Logo%20(6).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It is almost here. The 2023 Zimbabwean General Elections, officially referred to as the "Harmonized Elections" by the Electoral Commission is scheduled to take place on August 23, 2023. Once again, Zimbabwean electorates will be offered the opportunity to elect members of parliament, president and councilors. </p><p>With barely 24hours to the election day, the African Elections Project presents 10 facts about Zimbabwe’s upcoming 2023 General Elections.</p><p>1. This election will be the second general election conducted after the removal of former President Mugabe from office. </p><p>2. 11 candidates have been approved by the Electoral Commission of Zimbabwe to contest in this year’s General Elections. However, the key contest is between incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, from the governing ZANU-PF party, and Nelson Chamisa, 45, of the opposition Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC).</p><p>3. Data published by the Electoral Commission indicates close to 6.6 million Zimbabweans have registered to cast their votes in the upcoming 2023 harmonized elections.</p><p>4. On the gender front, the number of registered female electorates is 3,551,997 representing 53.7% of the registered voters (a drop 0.3% from 2018) and 3,067,694 of males, representing 46.3 % of the total registered voters.</p><p>5. To win the presidency, a candidate must get more than 50% of the vote. If there is no outright winner, a run-off between the top two candidates will be held within 28-42 days.</p><p>6. Within the National Assembly, there are 60 seats reserved for women, six from each province.</p><p>7. Parliamentary and local council candidates only need a simple majority of votes cast.</p><p>8. The cost-of-living crisis in Zimbabwe coupled with the crippling power outages and unstable local currency are some of the key issues which will shape this year’s election.</p><p>9. According to Zimbabwe’s Electoral Act, results for any of the elections should be announced within five days from the close of polling.</p><p>10. The August 23 general election, Zimbabwe’s ninth since independence in 1980.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>AEP</b></p><p><b>Get the latest news and updates on elections in Africa by following us on twitter @africanelection and like our Facebook page: African Elections Project Facebook. </b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>africanelectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659464068898433085noreply@blogger.com0