#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.

 

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.