Monrovia – A new poll, the by the International Political Polls global surveys company has found that there is a large percentage of people who still have not decided who to vote for.
It is predicted that out of 2,183,683 registered voters (according to the Liberian National Elections Commission or “NEC”), only 1.58 million registered voters will turnout, of those, only 977,270 have decided whom to vote for.
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Weah on Top
The poll shows that there are three leading candidates: Sen. George M. Weah (CDC) in first with 24.73%, Charles W. Brumskine (LP) in second with 23.49%, the current Liberian Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai (UP) in third with 21.74%, Alexander Cummings(ANC) in fourth with 9.55 percent, Prince Y. Johnson(8.72 percent and Benoni Urey(All Liberian Party, 6.38 percent.
The difference between first place and second place is minor (only 1.24%), and within the polls 1.5% margin of error.
In addition, the IPP poll showcase that the key issues debated in the upcoming elections is: Corruption (26%), Economy (21%), Infrastructure/Roads (17%), Health (15%), Education (12%) and Peace & Reconciliation (9%).
The West African nation of Liberia is scheduled to hold presidential elections on October 10, 2017. The winner of the elections will replace current sitting president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who has led the country since 2006.
There are 22 presidential candidates, but the leading candidates are: current Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party (UP), Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party (LP), Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Senator George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Senator Prince Y. Johnson of the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP) and Benoni Urey of the All Liberian Party (ALP).
Six presidential candidates, including Dr. Joseph Mills Jones of the Movement for Economic Empowerment, were recently invited to a presidential debate to outline their governance plans to the Liberian people.
Several polls in recent weeks have given varied outcomes of the upcoming presidential race.
Cummings Lead One Poll
Polling data recently collected by the regional-based Ads Services & Marketic and commissioned by FrontPageAfrica found that an overwhelming majority of the registered voters were either undecided or said they didn’t know.
Nearly fifty percent of Liberian electorates remain largely undecided about who they want as their next President ahead of Presidential and legislative elections this October.
Almost half of the registered voters (49%) selected this option (Chart 9).
This suggests that the race is wide open, that Liberians are not yet convinced by the obvious aspirants, and are keeping their options open.
The findings are based on survey conducted from 10th July to 21st July 2017 covering a total of 1,224 respondents in all the counties.
In survey, respondents were asked the following question: If the Presidential elections were held today, who would you vote for?
The Presidential Aspirants who scored the highest in response to this question were George Weah (13%) of CDC, Joseph Boakai (11%) of UP and Alexander Cummings (10%) of ANC.
The only other aspirants who scored more than 5% were Charles Brumskine (7%) of LP and Benoni Urey (5%) of ALP (Chat 9).
The results from the poll showing 49 percent of the voters’ undecided, makes it hard to predict the outcome of the election and who will become the next President.
Boakai Leads Another
Another poll by the Liberian media and development enterprise, the Liberia Holding Consortium released August 10, 2017 showed Boakai maintaining leading the field.
Results released showed Boakai at 33.81%, CDC’s George Weah at 21.1% and Liberty Party’s Charles Brumskine at 12.45%.
Pollsters claim that in the three polls it has conducted over the last three months, Boakai has maintained a lead in the same order, though the percentages has shifted from time to time.
Though leading, Boakai dropped in percentage points from 36.36%, while Weah rose from 18.38 to 21.1%
According to the LHC, the poll was conducted from 22 July to August 5, and utilized 763 respondents across 42 centers in all 15 counties.
In addition to leading the final tally, VP Boakai was the lead candidate in 9 counties, including his native Lofa and Margibi, which is the home county of his running mate, House Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay.
In second position, Montserrado Senator George Weah also leads perceptions in Montserrado, River Gee and Grand Cape Mount Counties, while tied with Vice President Boakai in Grand Gedeh.
Liberty Party’s Charles Brumskine is ahead of candidates in Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties.
Among other things, 435 respondents cited Corruption as the single most factor that hampers the effectiveness of the government.
Respondents also proposed that any new government must prioritize education; the provision of roads and Jobs; Agriculture productivity; Health care and economic development in driving Liberia forward.
Meanwhile, the report has revealed a constant trend of undecided voters across Liberia. This was reflected by 13.63% of respondents.
The Liberia Holding Consortium is a media and development enterprise led by Abdullai Kamara, past President of the Press Union of Liberia.