DR Congo Elections 2023: All You Need to Know

Source: Baz Ratner/ Reuters

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 44 million 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.

Who are the Main Candidates?

In all, 24 candidates 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.

How does the Electoral System work?

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.

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.

When will the results be declared?

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.

How many people are expected to vote?

According to the CENI close to 44 million people are expected to cast their ballot on the election day.

What are the key issues for voters?

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 $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank.

Corruption is also widespread, although the government established an anticorruption watchdog under President Tshisekedi. In the 2022 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, DRC ranked 166 out of 180 countries.

Insecurity 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 UN peacekeeping forces and ineffective regional deployments heighten the risk of conflict and regional tensions.

Who is Likely to Win?

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.  

Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection for more updates.

#EgyptDecides2023: Meet the Presidential Candidates

 

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.

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

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 96%  and 97% respectively.

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.

However, the country’s current economic situation 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.

Furthermore, his record on human rights 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. 

Abdel-Sanad Yamama

Abdel-Sanad 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. 

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.

He then joined the Wafd party in 2004, which was established after the 1919 revolution against the British occupation.

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.

Hakem Omar

Hakem Omar, 59, is a tourism entrepreneur 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.

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.

In his 2023 campaign, he promised to promote the rule of law, and economic freedom and ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

Farid Zahran

Farid Zahran,  66, is a lawyer by profession, and the leader of the  Social Democratic Party – a party that believes in both free market economics and social justice as part of a free and democratic system.

His campaign focuses on improving the Egyptian economy, through raising productivity levels, attracting foreign direct investments, and expanding agricultural production.

Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection for more updates.

All You Need to Know about Egypt’s Upcoming General Elections

 

Egyptians will be heading to the polls from 10^th 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.

Who are the Contestants?

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.

How is the Electoral Process Like?

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^st to 3^rd December.

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^th December if there is no runoff.

How many Eligible Voters are Expected to Take Part in the Exercise?

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.

Who is Eligible to Vote?

·         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; Citizens whose data are recorded in the voter database; Citizens with the national number card or a valid passport containing the national number.

Who is Not Eligible to Vote?

·         Citizens who are mentally unsound

·         Convicts of theft, bribery, and other crimes.

·         Citizens ever found guilty of disrupting political life.

·    Citizens dismissed from government service for committing a crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty.

What are the issues?

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.

Who is Likely to Win?

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”

Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection for more updates.

Madagascar votes in presidential election amid calls for boycott

 

Voters in Madagascar Thursday headed to the polls for a presidential election boycotted by several opposition candidates.

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.

Thirteen candidates are vying for the post, including incumbent Andry Rajoelina, who is seeking a second term.

Soava Andriamarotafika, the spokesperson for the electoral commission, said provisional results would be released on Nov. 24.

The second round of election will be conducted on Dec. 20 if none of the candidates receives 50% of the vote.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and the European Union have deployed its election observers.

The campaigns were overshadowed by a series of protests called by opposition aspirants quelled with tear gas.

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.

Rajoelina held his last campaign rally in the capital Antananarivo on Sunday before thousands of enthusiastic supporters.

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.​​​​​​​

Source: aa.com.tr/en

Liberians await election result after George Weah v Joseph Boakai run-off

 

Counting is ongoing in  Liberia's presidential run-off election after neither of the main candidates won October's first round outright.

Just 7,000 votes separated the current president, retired football star George Weah, and former Vice-President Joseph Boakai.

While Mr Weah won the first round he failed to get more than 50% of the vote, triggering a run-off.

Counting will conclude on Wednesday, the National Elections Commission said.Nine election commission staff arrested over alleged ballot-tampering after October's vote.

The UN also reported clashes between supporters of rival opposition parties.

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.

The BBC's Moses Garzeawu in the capital, Monrovia, said Liberians had been "hungry to vote" and long queues were reported at polling stations.

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."

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.

Mr Boakai has focused on investing in agriculture and infrastructure in his campaigning.

He has also highlighted the need to rescue the nation from what he calls "mismanagement" by Mr Weah's administration.

The president has been talking about improving education and dealing with unemployment.

He has asked voters for more time to see the results of his first-term promises, to root out corruption and improve livelihoods.

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.

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".

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.

Voting closed at 18:00 GMT  on Tuesday local time on  and results are expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Source: bbc.com

Liberia’s Weah and rival Boakai meet again in presidential run-off

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.

Football icon Weah, 57, led the first round in October, gaining 43.83 percent of the vote, and Boakai had 43.44 percent

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.

The 2023 election has been a rematch of the vote in 2017 when Weah won with over 61 percent.

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.

Analysts say the election is a referendum on the ruling party’s stint in power so far.

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 corruption.

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.

Weah has blamed the coronavirus pandemic and the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war for failure to deliver on economic targets.

Source: Aljazeera.com

Liberia's 2023 Presidential Election Headed for a Possible Run-Off

Joseph Boakai (left), President George Weah (right)

Liberia's presidential election which was held on 10^th October 2023 is headed for a run-off, with incumbent President George Weah and opposition leader Joseph Boakai nearly tied in the race.

Provisional results released by the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Monday, 16^th 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.

The Chairperson of Liberia’s National Elections Commission, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansannah providing an update on the presidential election indicated that results 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.

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.

According to the country’s electoral laws,  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.

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  elections, 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.

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.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection to get updates on the Liberia presidential election.

#LiberiaDecides2023: Why Election Results may delay – An Explainer

 

If you are an avid follower of AEP on any of our social media platforms or  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.

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 National Elections Commission (NEC) has hinted that the timely release of final results is uncertain due to unforeseen challenges.

As at mid day 13^th October, only about 7 percent of polling centres had their results published by NEC. 

In this article, AEP delves into some of the issues accounting for the slow pace of NEC in releasing presidential election results.

Electoral laws

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.

According to the laws, 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.

Logistical Challenges

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.

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. “The damaged materials will be replaced for the conduct of the elections in the affected areas within a week's time,”  Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, NEC Chairperson said at a press briefing.

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.

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.

Meanwhile, NEC is expected to provide updates on the situation and publish some additional tallied results on Friday evening October 13 2023.

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.

AEP

Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook @Africanelection for updates n elections across Africa.

#LiberiaDecides2023: Voting ends in Liberia but long queues remain

 

Credit: Yiaga Twitter

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.

The presidential elections is  keenly contested by former football star Geoge Weah who is seeking for a second term in office and former Deputy President Joseph Boakai.

Aside the two main contenders, 18 other candidates are in the race including two women who are hoping to outwit incumbent George Weah.

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.

To 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.

Despite concerns of potential violence in the lead-up to the election, the election has been relatively calm  across various polling centres with no reports of violence recorded.

This  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.

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.

Meanwhile, NEC is expected by law to  declare the presidential results within a maximum of fifteen days after voting.

Corruption, economic challenges, standard of living are some of the key issues which will shape this year’s general elections in Liberia.

AEP

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.

 

2.4 million vote as polls open in Liberia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AEP

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.

 

#LiberiaElections 2023: Get Familiar with the Facts and Figures

 

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.

Check out this interesting facts and figures below:

1.     1. Tuesday’s election will be the fourth post-war democratic presidential and legislative elections in Liberia.

2.     2. 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

3.     3. All Liberian citizens over 18 years old who have registered as voters can vote.

4.     4. Voters with disabilities can have someone assist them in marking and casting their ballots, provided the helper is also a registered voter.

5.     5. The campaign period, declared by Liberia's National Elections Commission, is from August 5, 2023, to October 8, 2023.

6.     6. For the first time, the NEC has introduced the 'Biometric Voter Registration' (BVR) exercise to minimize irregularities and double registrations.

7.     7. Although BVR was introduced for registration purposes, voters will use the manual system to cast their votes.

8.     8. 5,890 polling centres will be operational for Tuesday’s vote.

9.     9. The total number of registered voters is 2,471,617.

1010. There are 20 presidential candidates, including two women.

11. 11.  Incumbent President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai are considered as frontrunners in the 2023 elections.

12.  12. 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.

13.  13. 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.

14.  14. 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.

15.  15. The presidential ballots will be counted first, followed by the Senate and then the House of Representatives ballot.

16.  16. 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.

17.  17. A little over 40% of registered voters fall within the age range of 18 to 34

18.  18. 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.

19.  19. George Weah won the 2017 elections in the second round, polling 61.5% of the votes against former Vice President Joseph  Boakai who get 38.5% of the votes.

20.  20. 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.

Advancing Democracy: How Technology Is Safeguarding a More Credible and Transparent Elections in Liberia

 

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 National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Liberia is shifting to embrace technology in almost all aspect of its work.

In preparation for the crucial October 2023 elections, the NEC has harnessed the power of Biometric Voter Registration (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.

The Move to Biometric Voter Registration (BVR)

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.

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.

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.

From the BVR exercise, the NEC recorded a total of 2,498,904 registrants, with 27,192 identified as duplicates and 529 as suspected underage registrants across all 15 Liberia counties.

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).

Although the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Liberia 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.

Background

Liberia goes to the polls on the 10^th 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.
19 candidates are running against incumbent president George Weah. Notable among Weah contenders are former Vice President Joseph Boakai and businessman Alexander Cummings.

To be declared winner in Tuesday’s election, a candidate must achieve 50% of the total valid votes cast plus one additional vote.