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.

#LiberiaDecides2023: Meet the leading candidates in the upcoming polls

Liberians will be voting next week in their fourth general election since the end of the second civil war in 2003.

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.

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.

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.

George Weah

George Weah, 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  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.

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.

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.

Despite the initial hope and optimism surrounding George Weah's presidency in Liberia, his tenure has faced significant challenges and disappointments. One major issue was the scandal involving the disappearance of newly printed Liberian banknotes worth approximately $100 million. Although an investigation later deemed the allegations unfounded, it revealed a lack of transparency and proper procedures in the central bank's actions.

The economic situation during Weah's presidency has also been challenging, 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.

Joseph Boakai

Joseph Nyuma Boakai 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.

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.

Alexander Cummings

Alexander Cummings 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.

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.

Other candidates

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 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).

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).

 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. 

Liberia 2023 Elections: All you need to know about the October 10 polls

 

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 allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

This year’s election will be the country’s fourth election after the second civil war 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 Boakai, securing 61.5% of the total valid votes cast.

Liberia practises a presidential republic with a bicameral National Assembly. 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.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the presidential election with a focus on the main contenders, key issues, and women's participation.

Main candidates

In all, 20 candidates have been cleared by the Liberian National Electoral Commission 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.

Other candidates include Edward Appleton Jr. (Grassroots Development Movement), Allen Brown Jr. (Liberia 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).

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  Luther Yorflee (Liberia Rebuilding Party).

Key Issues for Liberian Voters in the 2023 Elections

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.

Economic challenges 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 $2.15 per day, according to World Bank estimates.

The issue of electoral violence 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 photograph on a coffin during a campaign event, have fuelled these worries.

 Corruption 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.

Women Participation

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 15% of the candidates fielded by political parties are women. This falls short of both Liberia's Constitutional Provisions for equal representation and the 30% gender quota voluntarily agreed upon by political parties.

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 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to a 30% gender quota, Liberia's political parties have consistently failed to meet this target during candidate nomination processes.

Gabon: Ali Bongo's wife charged with money laundering

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.

Public prosecutor Andre Patrick Roponat announced, on Friday, that Sylvia Bongo's case had been brought before an investigating judge the day before.

He also said her house arrest order was being upheld.

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.

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.

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.

Source: BBC