KAKATA—The Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) has officially released a social media survey finding on the connection between social media and decision-making among young people of Liberia.

By Yawah Y. Jaivey

The LEON’s launch of the European Partners for Democracy-EPD “Women and youth Democracy Engagement” Youth project -SOCIAL MEDIA survey findings took place on Saturday, February 17, in Kakata, Margibi County.

Launching the report, LEON’s Head of Secretariat, Augustine S.M. Tamba, said social media plays a pivotal role in today’s era affecting every aspect of life including democracy and elections.

Social media, Mr. Tamba said, has affected Liberia’s democratic processes in past and current elections and understanding the impact of social media on democratic processes.

“LEON has been monitoring social media since 2019 with the aim of linking social media contents to democratic processes to further understand the impact of social media during the 2023 election especially affecting the youth, the Liberia Elections Observation Network-LEON received funding from the European Partners for Democracy-EDP to monitor Social media and assess its impact on youth political participation.” he disclosed.

Tamba said, as part of the project, LEON conducted a comprehensive survey exploring the sources of information gathering, impact of social media on the lives of youths and how contents on social media change the opinion of the youths during elections.

He explained that the launch of the survey findings across the country is aimed at further engaging the youth of the country with the results from the survey.

Survey’s Findings

LEON’s Head of Secretariat, Augustine S.M. Tamba, disclosed that LEON conducted the survey between September 4-11, 2023, and 73 enumerators across the 15 counties targeted the total of 1,241 respondents.  

He explained that notably, 70% of respondents cited social media as a significant source of misinformation, highlighting the need for digital literacy, and critical thinking.

66.5%, according to him, acknowledged the influence of social media and its substantial role in shaping decision-making. This influence, he said, extends beyond information consumption, impacting attitudes and a behavior, adding that online bullying was prevalent, with 33.3% reporting such experiences and a majority did not report incidents, emphasizing the importance of safer online environments.

Tamba noted that although 66.5% of respondents acknowledged social media influence—engagement of social media for “social issues” varied. 47% of those surveyed, he said, revealed “not engaging” social media for social issues; 25% frequently engaged the social media and 28% occasionally engaged in social media activities leading to the variation in the perceived accuracy of information on social media.

Continuing, Tamba stated: “The survey found that a significant proportion of respondents 47% were likely to be influenced through social media—and a considerable percentage of 48.7% frequently or occasionally changed their opinions based on issues discussed on social media. This highlights the need for a distinct approach to digital literacy and fact-checking for informed decision-making.”

Tamba asserted that the survey analysis provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between social media, demographics, and decision-making. 

“The survey findings emphasize the need for responsible social media use, digital literacy, and fact-checking to navigate the digital landscape effectively. The findings offer a foundation for informed discussions and actions to foster a positive online environment in line with accuracy, respect, and digital literacy.” Tamba asserted.

LEON Forwards Recommendations

According to Augustine S.M. Tamba, based on the survey’s findings, LEON has proposed the formation of education initiatives to implement comprehensive digital literacy programs that include critical thinking skills to empower citizens to discern and counteract misinformation on social media.

He’s recommending the need for a policy development that will foster collaboration amongst relevant stakeholders, including government bodies and social media platforms, to establish clear policies and regulations that prevent the misuse of social media and address online bullying.

Tamba is further calling for the creation of gender-specific interventions to develop targeted initiatives to support gender equality on social media, provide resources for females facing online bullying, and promote an inclusive and safe digital space.

He is at the same time commending the need to establish the promotion of offline engagement to focus on launching campaigns and initiatives to encourage youth to take part in offline activities related to political issues they learn about on social media—and encourage fostering informed participation that will focus on developing educational programs and resources to enhance political awareness among the youth and promote informed participation.

About LEON

The Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) is a platform of four Liberians civil society organizations, the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC), Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP), Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and National Union of Organizations for the Disabled (NUOD) with the overall goal of meaningfully contributing to the democratization process in Liberia by providing an avenue for civil society to participate in monitoring and observing elections and democratic processes in Liberia, LEON observed the 2017 and 2020 elections with over 1000 observers and issued statements on pre-elections, election day and post-election activities. In 2019, LEON engaged in monitoring the Legislature with the aim of increasing legislative openness and transparency for better representation that lead to improved social service delivery in constituencies.

LEON has a steering committee comprised of members of the four member organizations and a secretariat of 17 persons including four regional coordinators who coordinate and oversee the short-term and long-term observers. LEON has a focus on the inclusion of marginalized groups including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

MONROVIA – In a comprehensive situational report on the outcome of the 2023 presidential runoff election, the Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) announced that its sample-based observation (SBO) findings align closely with the official results released by the National Elections Commission (NEC). LEON’s analysis, based on a statistically relevant sample of 904 polling places across all 73 electoral districts, indicated consistency with NEC’s results, instilling confidence in the electoral process.

The 99.58% of results released by NEC on November 17, 2023, were found to be in harmony with LEON’s SBO projections. The network commended the NEC for conducting its duties with professionalism, largely adhering to policies and procedures. LEON also applauded the Liberian people for their peaceful and orderly participation in both the presidential and legislative elections.

LEON’s SBO methodology involved deploying 904 short-term observers, supported by long-term observers, field coordinators, and mobile field observers. These observers, accredited by NEC, followed voting and counting processes at randomly selected polling places, providing a comprehensive and statistically sound assessment of the electoral cycle. The observers signed pledges of impartiality and neutrality, ensuring the integrity of the data collected.

The SBO approach allowed LEON to project a midpoint result estimate for each candidate within an estimated range of possible results. The estimated range served as a margin of error, demonstrating the reliability of NEC’s official results within the context of statistical principles.

While the final results are yet to be officially declared by NEC, President George Manneh Weah conceded the election with grace and dignity on the night of November 17, 2023. LEON acknowledged this gesture and appealed to the eventual winner to be magnanimous and act as a unifying force for all Liberians.

LEON’s preliminary assessment of the 2023 general elections commended the NEC for administering the electoral process competently and transparently. The network plans to analyze its data further to prepare a preliminary statement and a final report on the overall quality and integrity of the presidential and legislative elections.

In conclusion, LEON commended the Liberian people for their peaceful participation, expressing inspiration by the successful implementation of the country’s democracy. As Liberia moves forward, the network encouraged all citizens to take pride in their nation’s democratic achievements and unity.

MONROVIA – The Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON), has provided its post-election day statement on its initial findings during observation of voting, closing of polls, and counting during the second round of the 2023 presidential election.

By Francis G. Boayue

In a press conference held on Wednesday in Monrovia, LEON has called on NEC to continue performing its professional duties efficiently and effectively during the results tabulation process.

Ms. Banica Stephanie Elliott, president of FLY and member of LEON’s steering committee, read the statement on behalf of LEON and commended NEC for deploying well-trained polling officials who generally adhered to the policies and procedures to deliver the presidential runoff election.

According to Ms. Elliot: “LEON congratulates Liberians on the peaceful exercise of their Constitutional right to vote and participate in democratic practices. Following the end of the presidential runoff election, LEON will issue a preliminary statement and then a final report on the conduct of elections that includes findings on the overall integrity and quality of the 2023 electoral cycle.

“LEON also calls on all political parties and stakeholders to be patient and respect the electoral process to maintain a genuine, credible, transparent, safe, and inclusive second round of the 2023 presidential election in Liberia.

Ms. Elliott further provided reports from LEON’s observers in the just-ended 2023 presidential runoff election.

According to her, LEON observers reported improved adherence to procedures stipulated by the National Elections Commission (NEC), incidents as reported and verified by its observers and analysts, and preliminary trends from ongoing social media monitoring. The statement follows LEON’s mid-day statement issued on November 14, 2023, with its preliminary findings from the opening of polls around the country.

“During the 2023 presidential runoff election, LEON continued implementing its sample-based observation (SBO) by deploying 73 long-term observers (LTOs), 53 field coordinators (FCs), and 18 mobile field observers (MFOs) to supervise and support observations from 904 short-term observers (STOs) at a statistically relevant sample of designated polling places in all 73 electoral districts. The STOs were deployed to the same 904 polling places observed during the October 10th elections.

LEON reiterates that its observers and coordinators pledged to abide by a code of conduct to maintain their impartiality.

“Furthermore, LEON is conducting its SBO guided by the Liberian legal framework and domestic and international election observation standards, and its observation approach is founded on the principles of neutrality, nonpartisanship, integrity, and independence to assess the overall quality and integrity of the 2023 electoral cycle.

“LEON’s preliminary assessment that the voting, closing of polls, and counting processes are generally improved when compared to the October 10th presidential and legislative elections are based on LEON’s observers at assigned polling places from the 15 counties across the country.

“Observations on the NEC procedures followed are based on data collected and verified as of 9:00 AM on November 15, 2023. LEON’s Election Day process data are followed by incidents reported by its observers and trends identified during social media monitoring of the electoral setting.

Voting Procedures: “LEON’s observers reported the following procedural findings from the polling places observed on runoff Election Day. Most NEC officials “always” adhered to procedures in the eight categories listed below; however, in two categories – “Ballot Issuer Explained How to Vote Correctly” and “Voters Left Polling Place After Voting” – LEON observed compliance in approximately 78.4% of polling places for both points.

“The remaining six categories ranged between approximately 90.4% and 97.5% of polling places. The “mostly” category for the two lower categories was 12.7% and 16.1%, respectively, while the other six categories ranged from 1.8% to 5.2% of polling places. The range for the combined figures for procedural adherence increases to a more reassuring 94.5% to 99.3% of polling places.

“The observer data indicates that a high number of NEC officials appeared to “always” and “mostly” understand and implement the NEC’s procedures during runoff Election Day at the polling places observed.

“Regardless, LEON remains concerned that important procedural steps were observed as “sometimes” or “never” is adhered to. For example, observers reported that queue controllers did not check for valid voter cards in approximately 3.1% of polling places, identification officers did not tick voter names on the final registration roll in approximately 3.9% of polling places, and ballot issuers did not explain how to cast a ballot correctly in approximately 3.0% of polling places.

“Notably, NEC officials improved on explaining the use of the tactile ballot to visually impaired voters with observers noting that the voter aid tool was explained “always” in approximately 90.6% of polling places, compared to 77.9% during the October 10th elections. Queue controllers checking for valid voter card was observed as “always” in approximately 90.4% of polling places, compared to

85.3% in the previous elections.

LEON notes that voters departed the polling places “always” and “mostly” at a higher rate of approximately 94.5% over the approximately 89.4% of polling places observed during the October 10th elections.

LEON recommended, “that NEC should improve its training methods and emphasize the needs of visually impaired and other people with disabilities so they can more fully participate during future elections.”

MONROVIA – In the wake of Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) counting and results tabulation process, the Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON), has admitted that its results analysis from Liberia’s recently held election shows that no candidate could have reached the 50% plus one threshold for a first-round victory during the 2023 presidential election.

By Francis G. Boayue

LEON in a press conference held on Wednesday in Monrovia, announced its sample-based observation (SBO) findings from the 2023 presidential election results consistent with NEC’s official presidential election results.

Madam Juli Endee, a member of LEON’s Steering Committee, said to give the people of Liberia confidence in the presidential electoral process and demonstrate the degree to which the official results reflect the people’s will, LEON has released its SBO results data analysis. The analysis is based on counting data submitted by LEON’s observers at 860 of 904 (95.1%) designated polling places.

She said: “LEON’s results analysis shows that no candidate could have reached the 50% plus one threshold for a first-round victory during the 2023 presidential election.

According to her, LEON results released are in line with the NEC results thus far and “consistent” with polling place-level data collected and analyzed by LEON as part of its sample-based observation (SBO) during the 2023 presidential and legislative elections.

She added LEON with a viable data sample and enabled LEON to provide an estimated range – the lowest value and highest value that each candidate could be expected to achieve – within which the official results from all polling places should fall.

She said the SBO approach is a proven, statistically based methodology used in more than 40 countries for over three decades to evaluate the quality and integrity of an electoral process.

“LEON’s consistent sampling results indicate that NEC’s official results can be viewed by stakeholders and voters with trust and confidence.

“In Liberia, LEON deployed 904 NEC accredited short-term observers (STOs) to a randomly selected, representative sample of polling places in all 73 electoral districts among the 15 counties. LEON observers followed the voting and counting process at sample locations on Election Day and recorded NEC results data posted publicly at the polling places observed.

“The results data recorded by observers was validated by photographs of the results sheets and cross-verified by LEON’s data clerks at its data center. “LEON observers reported a transparent counting process in the presence of party agents/poll watchers and observers. LEON observed results tabulation at the 19 NEC tally centers and is confident that it was conducted transparently and by procedures.

“LEON assesses that NEC largely adhered to its opening of polls, voting, closing of polls, counting, and results tabulation procedures, and they were conducted professionally and transparently.

Madam Endee commended the National Elections Commission (NEC) for largely adhering to its policies and procedures throughout the electoral and results tabulation processes across the country.

“Liberian people on their peaceful participation, demonstrated by the current national voter turnout rate of 77.71%. LEON calls upon political contestants and supporters to respect the will of the Liberian people, as represented by NEC’s official results. LEON urges all stakeholders to redouble their commitment to peaceful and democratic elections during the second round of presidential elections,” Madam Endee said.

MONROVIA – The Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) issued a statement a day after Liberia’s elections, calling on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to be efficient and effective during the counting and results tabulation process.

By Francis G. Boayue

In a press conference held on Wednesday in Monrovia, LEON provided the following statement on its initial findings during the observation of voting and the closing of polls during the 2023 presidential and legislative elections.

Mr. Pilate Johnson, a member of LEON’s Steering committee, read the statement on behalf of LEON and lauded Liberians for their peaceful and high turnout in executing their constitutional right to vote and participate in democracy.

According to him, LEON’s observations focused primarily on the adherence to procedures stipulated by the National Elections Commission (NEC).

“LEON calls on NEC to continue carrying out its professional duties efficiently and effectively during the counting and results tabulation process,” Mr. Johnson said.

“LEON also calls on all political parties and stakeholders to be patient and respect the electoral process to maintain a genuine, credible, transparent, safe, and inclusive national election.”

He added, “This post-election statement follows and updates LEON’s mid-day statement on its findings from the opening of polls around the country.

“During the 2023 national election, LEON deployed 73 long-term observers (LTOs) and 53 field coordinators to supervise and support observations from 904 short-term observers (STOs) at a statistically relevant sample of designated polling places in all 73 electoral districts.

The following statement provides findings from LEON’s observers at polling places from the 15 counties across the country.

“Observations on procedures followed during voting and closing of the polls are based on data collected and verified as of 9:00 AM on October 11, 2023.

LEON’s statement also provided an update on the opening of polls on October 10, 2023.

“LEON’s Election Day process data are followed by trends identified during social media monitoring and incidents reported by observers.

“LEON’s observers reported the following procedural findings from the polling places observed.

“Notably, most NEC polling place officials “always” adhered to the procedures in eight categories listed below between approximately 72% and 97% of the time. The “mostly” category ranged between approximately 1% and 17%.

“The range for the combined figures for procedural adherence increased from 89% to 99% of the time.

“The observer data indicates that NEC officials appeared to understand and implement the NEC’s procedures during Election Day at the polling places observed.

“LEON remains concerned that important procedural steps were observed as “sometimes” or “never” adhered to.

“Observers reported that queue controllers did not check for valid voter cards approximately 7% of the time, identification officers did not tick voter names on the final registration roll approximately 7% of the time, ballot issuers did not explain how to cast a ballot correctly approximately 9% of the time, and the use of the tactile ballot by visually impaired voters was not explained at an alarming rate of approximately 11% of the time.

LEON’s recommended “That NEC continues to improve its training methods and emphasizes the needs of the visually impaired so they can more fully participate during elections.”

MONROVIA –The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) and the Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) say the delay in the conduct of the national population census and the manner in which the National Elections Commission (NEC) is proceeding with the biometric voter roll for the 2023 elections are early warning indicators for conflict.

Cllr. Oscar Bloh, the executive director of the ECC warned that the credibility of voter registration is a prerequisite for the conduct of a credible election and as such due care must be taken in the conduct of the exercise.

By Francis G. Boayue

Cllr. Bloh said the credibility of elections is key to sustaining the peace and security of the state. He said the process requires time, openness, inclusion, and timely allocation of resources from the national government.

He further said the delay in the conduct of the national census and voter registration stands to risk ‘qualified voters from being captured to vote in the 2023 election due to the inability of the NEC to reappropriate constituencies based on the new population figures in adherence to Article 80(d) and (e) of the Constitution.’

According to him, conducting census and voter registration in the same year with limited awareness could undermine the quality of the electoral process and the integrity of its outcome.

Cllr. Bloh: “Liberia uses the census and voter registration as the base data for demarcation, and with this delay and uncertainty chances, the country may run into a crisis leading to the creation of other electoral districts with high ratios of voters representatives which will serve as a hindrance to equal representation.

“It is shocking that less than one year before the elections, these pre-required processes which should have already been concluded are yet to begin in less than a year to elections and these combined factors have the propensity to reduce public trust in the electoral process,” he said.

ECC, LEON Recommendations

The two groups are, however, recommending that the government of Liberia through the responsible institutions including NEC, and the PPCC have an internal discussion to reach a compromise on the procurement of the BVR kit without necessarily violating the PPCC law and ensure the credibility and integrity of the process.

They called for the selection of the vendor by the NEC to be done in a transparent and accountable manner with timely dissemination of information to the public.

Also, the two groups called on NEC and LISGIS to develop a framework on how census data will be used for the reapportioning of constituencies.

Lastly, they also ask all international development partners supporting the conduct of the 2023 elections to regularly meet with political parties, the electoral body, and CSOs on formulating scenarios that have the potential to undermine the electoral process and how they can be mitigated.

BOMI COUNTY – The Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) has released it’s preliminary report on the ongoing Representative by-election in Senjeh District # 1, Bomi County, alleging missing electoral materials and tempering with ballot boxes.

The body monitors electioneering activities in Liberia.

Thousands of eligible voters went to the polls early Tuesday morning to elect the candidate of their choice in the heavily contested by-election in Senjeh.

In the preliminary observatory report released during the afternoon hours, LEON  disclosed that about 99.2% of its observers deployed at various polling precincts observed that the ballot box in their respective polling centers were shown to be empty before voting begun.

It points out that the remaining 0.8% of its observers also noted that the “ballot box was not shown to be empty”.

The group maintained that a further important element of election integrity is “proof that the ballot box is not tempered with at the earliest moment of polling”, but said was not the case with the polling centers observed by 0.8% of its observers.

“We are verifying this report and will be subsequently updating on why and in which polling places these happened”.

Polling materials
The group maintained that significant to the holding of free, fair and transparent elections is the availability of essential materials to conduct the election.

It named some of those materials as ballot boxes, plastic seals, puncher, indelible marker pens, NEC stamp, counting forms and PO journals, etc.

LEON furthered that out of the more than 50% of polling stations covered, it observed that 97% had all polling materials.

It added that 3% of the total number of polling stations observed did not have some essential polling materials.

The group named stamp pad, a plastic seal, rubber bands, puncher and others as some of the essential polling materials that were missing at some polling stations.

It encourages the NEC to ensure that the polling places that had materials missing are corrected.

Polling staff
LEON observed that five polling workers were noticed at all polling places in keeping with NEC’s account.

It added that there were 275 female polling staff, out of a possible of 660, representing 41.6%.

“Of the staff present, there were 26 female Presiding Officers (19.7%) and 106 male Presiding Officers (80.3%). The number represent significant under representation of women as Presiding Officers”.

Consider gender mainstreaming
LEON calls on NEC to consider gender mainstreaming as an important aspect of its implementation and develop mechanisms to achieve adequate inclusion of not only women, but all marginalized groups such as people living with disabilities in the electoral processes.

It also reported 99% of party agents at 99% of observed polling places.

The group believes that the presence of party agents in 99% of the observation centers will contribute to increasing electoral integrity in these polling places and admonishes the representative of political parties to serve as a check on the voting process.

LEON observes 99.9% security coverage at polling stations monitored.

It notes that it deployed 152 observers, including short and long term observers, and four coordinators, to observe the by election in Bomi.

The group further indicates that the findings provided, although provisional and partial, give it a good insight into what happened at more than 50% of polling places covered during the morning hours.


“We note very few incidents of trucking, disruption of voting and campaign around polling precincts but we are still verifying the reports”.

The by-election in Senjeh district in Bomi is being held simultaneously along with three separate by elections taking place in Bong, Nimba, and Grand Gedeh Counties.


The by-elections were triggered following the ascendancies of four Representatives to the Liberian Senate during the December 8, 2020 senatorial election held in the country.

They include Senators Edwin Melvin Snowe (former Representative district # 1 Bomi), Prince Moye (former Representative Bong district # 2),  Zoe Pennue (former Representative Grand Gedeh district # 1), and Jeremiah Koung (former Representative district # 1) respectively.

Nine candidates are contesting for the representative seat for electoral district # 1 in Bomi County.

They include: Armah Vanah Boakai (Independent ), Charles S. Brown of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), John D. Karmo of Liberian National Union (LINU), Finda Gborie Lansanah (independent), and Edwin Folley McGill (independent).

Others are: Harry Buster Sando, Sr (Independent), Roosevelt Arvin Tulay, Sr of People’s Unification Party (PUP), J. Kpakpa Obediah Varney of Liberia Restoration Party (LRP), She Maxwell Vincent of Liberian People’s Party (LPP).

The ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is not fielding a candidate in the Senjeh district By-election.

But President George Manneh Weah sometimes ago reportedly endorsed a request from his good friend, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe to support his candidate-the lone female in the race.

Meanwhile, the NEC local office in Tubmanburg is expected to commence the official tallying of votes on Wednesday, November 17.