October 10, 2023 General and Presidential Elections was conducted peacefully as reported by both national and international observers
By Ibrahim A. Sherif
MONROVIA
Liberia’s democratic portfolio continues to grow by the day as political actors as well as citizens of the West African state prepare for the November 14, Presidential Run-off Election.
The campaign period of the October 10, 2023 General and Presidential Elections was carried out smoothly by political parties even though there were little scrimmages relating to minimal distractions in some quarters around the country that frightened the voters prior to the main election day.
However, there was no report of disturbance on Election Day except at two polling places in District #4, Nimba County where it was reported and confirmed by the National Elections Commission (NEC) that ballot boxes were criminally taken away from two polling places which prompted a re-run at the specific centers.
On a general perspective, the October 10, 2023 General and Presidential Elections was conducted peacefully as reported by both national and international observers, as well as voters themselves who were the main actors in the process.
Liberia’s democratic portfolio continues to grow by the day as political actors as well as citizens of the West African state prepare for the November 14, Presidential Run-off Election.
Meanwhile, the National Election Commission (NEC) of Liberia announced a run-off election slated for November 14, on grounds that no political party accumulated the 50 percent plus one vote on the first ballot as enshrined in Article 83(b) of the Constitution of Liberia.
Article 83(b) of the Liberian Constitution states: “All elections of public officers shall be determined by an absolute majority of the votes cast. If no candidate obtains an absolute majority in the first ballot, a second ballot shall be conducted on the second Tuesday following. The two candidates who received the greatest numbers of votes on the first ballot shall be designated to participate in the run-off election.”
Therefore, the run-off Election will be between incumbent President George M. Weah of the CDC, and the former Liberian Vice President Mr. Jospeh N. Boakai of the opposition Unity Party.
It can be recalled that on October 24, the NEC boss declared a campaign open for the run-off election which she said runs from October 24 to November 12, 2023.
From all indications, the November 14, presidential run-off election is set to be successful and if there is any situation of dissatisfaction, the relevant institution will be engaged for redress as guaranteed under the nation’s constitution.
The incumbent President, George M. Weah has on numerous occasions assured the Liberian public that the democratic decision of the people will be respected as it was done in the mid-term election in 2020 where the ruling party lost most of the seats to the opposition community.
It is subsequently great to infer that this promise by President George M. Weah is genuine taking into consideration the recent October 10, 2023 General and Presidential Elections where some staunch members of the ruling party; including the Speaker of the 54th Legislature, Hon. Bhofal Chambers well as Hon. Acarous Moses Gray, Chairman on Executive at the House of Representatives amongst others, lost their seats and the results were respected.
Another instance which suggests that the pledge of the Liberian leader will be kept is the triumph of one of his fierce critiques, Hon. Yekeh Kokubah of District # 10, Montserrado County.
The District #10 Lawmaker was pronounced victorious from the just ended Legislative Election in District #10 where the decision of the residents were respected even though the Lawmaker criticized and insulted the President at certain points.
A total of 20 candidates contested the presidential election in Liberia, although results from the polls demonstrate that the Presidential race was mainly between the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the opposition Unity Party.
The October 10, General and Presidential Elections were regarded by some international observers as a decisive test for Liberia’s democratic resilience and the conduct of the Liberian citizenry speaks volume to the level of maturity they have obtained from the previous three Presidential Elections (2005,2011&2017).
A total of 20 candidates contested the presidential election in Liberia, although results from the polls demonstrate that the Presidential race was mainly between the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the opposition Unity Party.
Some of the key issues voters were and are currently taking into consideration is the level of unprecedented infrastructure development the country had received under the leadership of President Weah couple with the initiation of policies like the Free Tuition for Public Universities and Colleges and the free WASSCE fees initiative (West African Senior School Certificate Examination).
The mentioned initiatives and policies have benefited many of the downtrodden masses which have influenced their decision to give President Weah a six years second term mandate.
On the other hand, Liberians in the opposition are peddling the narrative of the proliferation of illicit drugs in the country, high cost of living, and unemployment amongst others.
The campaign activities leading to the October 10, 2023, Election was vibrant with a high number of campaign activities including several large rallies organized by presidential candidates.
According to the European Union Observation Mission, the Campaign freedoms were mostly respected, adding that campaign financing regulations are overall in line with international standards, but lamented the lack of enforcement showed a lack of transparency to certain extent.
Election Results
The results from the October 10, 2023 polls shows that President George M. Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change obtained the highest votes with a whopping 804,087 votes, constituting 43.83% followed by the opposition Unity Party, headed by Mr. Jospeh N. Boakai with 796,961 votes, which amounts to 43.44%.
The total valid votes from the October 10, 2023 polls stands at 1,834,516 while the election recorded a disappointing number of 114,639 invalid votes.
International Reaction
A joint statement from ECOWAS and the African Union Observation Missions to Liberia on the 10 October 2023 General Elections commend the government and people of Liberia for the generally peaceful elections of 10th October 2023.
The Missions express admiration for the voters’ discipline, patience, and peaceful conduct, despite the long queues observed in most precincts. They particularly commend the women and the youth for their show of patriotism and commitment to democracy by tuning out in large numbers to vote.
The Missions also commend the National Elections Commission for the generally professional conduct on the voting process on E-day and Laud the Joint Security Task Force for ably providing election security.
It urged the NEC to maintain a high level of transparency, accountability and openness in the expectations management of the results collation, tallying and announcement of final results.
The Missions also urged the media, political parties and candidates to avoid the temptation to call the election results ahead of NEC’s declaration.
ECOWAS and AU additionally appeal to the people of Liberia to exercise maximum patience and remain calm while awaiting the declaration of the results.
Also, the European Union Observation Mission in Liberia EU EOM noted that the October 10 polls were solely organized by the Liberian institutions, where a vibrant campaign was held.
The Mission furthered that fundamental freedoms were mostly respected, citing the abundant use of state resources by the incumbency which according to them distorted a level playing field in the process.
The Election Day showed Liberians’ democratic commitment and was positively assessed by the EU EOM observers highlighting high turnout, cumbersome procedures which according to them slowed the process.
Overall, the EU EOM stated that the legal framework provides a reasonable basis for the conduct of democratic elections.
Currently, both candidates in the run-off Election; President George M. Weah of the CDC and Mr. Joseph N. Boakai are receiving endorsement from political parties as well as notable politicians across the nation.
Positive outcome from the November 14, 2023 run-off Election will automatically raise the democratic credentials of Liberia to an admirable height while adequately impacting the substantiveness of the nation’s growth and development as well as instilling credibility in the governing process of Liberia.
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