MONROVIA – Following Friday’s announcement of the run-off election results by the National Elections Commission, President George Weah has gracefully acknowledged his defeat. The results indicated that his longtime rival, former Vice President Joseph Boakai, secured the lead with a margin of 28,434 votes (1.78%).

President-elect Boakai, who served as Vice President under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for 12 years, brings to the presidency over 40 years of experience in the public sector.

The National Elections Commission unveiled the latest outcomes of the November 14 run-off election on Friday evening, highlighting a closely contested race between the two candidates. According to the NEC, President Weah garnered 785,778 votes (49.11%), while Ambassador Boakai secured 814,212 votes (50.89%), resulting in a 28,434-vote difference (1.78%).

Throughout his campaign, Boakai pledged to rescue Liberia from what he asserted was a Weah administration marked by mismanagement and corruption.

MONROVIA – Democracy International (DI) announced the re-deploying its specialized observation mission by sending three of its observers to witness the re-run in Beo Lontuo, Nimba County District 4 for the 2023 General Elections for the President, Senate, and House of Representatives in Liberia. Liberians voted on October 10, 2023. The National Elections Commission announced that elections are being re-run at two polling places in this location because two ballot boxes were stolen and destroyed by members of the public, and other boxes were damaged during the incident. This mission follows that deployed by DI on October 10, 2023, with 25 observers to six counties (Bomi, Bong, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Montserrado, and Nimba) in 19 of the country’s 73 electoral districts.

In its October 14, 2023, preliminary statement following Election Day, DI commended the Liberian people for their high turn-out, reported by the NEC on October 18, 2023, to be 78.8% with most, but not all, tallies complete. With 1,833,189 valid votes out of 1,947,786 cast tallied thus far, DI notes the 5.88% rate of invalid ballots (114,597) is similar to the African average and past Liberian elections. Given the challenges of running elections in Liberia and doing so independently for the first time since the civil wars, the NEC and the Liberian electorate have reason to feel proud of the process thus far.

DI again congratulates the National Elections Commission and the NEC poll workers for their professional delivery of these elections, despite the many challenges of doing so. DI trusts that the Beo Lontuo re-run elections will continue the national experience of a predominantly peaceful election. 

The mission continues to demonstrate international support for the Liberian people in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The mission also contributes to DI’s ongoing work in Liberia, including with the National Elections Commission and the Election Coordinating Committee, a leading Liberian election observation group. DI works closely with Liberian organizations to encourage greater participation of marginalized groups, including women and youth, and deliver voter education nationwide. DI is organizing this mission in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, declared at the United Nations in 2005. 

The Elections and Democracy Activity is a five-year, USAID-funded project designed to help Liberia overcome challenges facing its developing democracy by fostering inclusive, sustainable, democratic political development. Implemented by DI, EDA is cultivating a new cadre of accountable, diverse, inclusive leaders in Liberia to govern in the interest of their constituents as well as active, knowledgeable citizens that demand accountability. EDA works with the Government of Liberia and civil society organizations to achieve this through three interrelated objectives: 

• Increase leadership of marginalized groups in political processes, 
• Improve civic knowledge and sense of civic duty, 
• Advance self-reliance of the National Election Commission and civil society organizations to independently manage and observe all stages of the electoral cycle.

Democracy International provides analytical services, technical assistance, and project implementation for democracy and governance programs worldwide. Since its founding in 2003, DI has worked in 80 countries and has conducted election observation missions and election assistance programs in Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Haiti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia, Mozambique, Pakistan, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tunisia, among other places. Democracy

The squabble for seeking or retaining jobs in the public sector is said to intensifying among members of the ruling party and the opposition ahead of the final pronouncement of the results of the just conducted October 10 presidential and legislative elections by the National Elections Commission (NEC) in Liberia.

By Obediah Johnson

The governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the opposition Unity Party (UP) are neck-to-neck in the provisional results being announced by the NEC.

During the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 17, a purported whatsapp exchanges from one of the chat rooms of the UP went viral on the social media, indicating the marginalization of citizens from some sectors of the country for governmental positions when the UP wins the elections.

In the whatsapp group titled ‘UP Governing Team’, former Deputy Information Minister Robert Kpadeh, Jake Kabakole, UP Secretary General Amos Tweh were the major actors.

A list from Mr. Jabaloke shows the names of individuals who will serve key positions in the UP led-government of Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

Those listed were: Tornolah Varpilah (Ministry of Agriculture), Amin Modad (Ministry of Commerce and Industry), Alaric Tokpa, Ministry of Education, Sylvester Nyumah (Ministry of Finance and Development Planning), John B. Fello (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), MacDella Cooper (Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection), and Dr. Sando Sherman (Ministry of Health and Social Welfare).

The rest are: Jerolimek Piah (Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism), Moses W. Vah (Ministry of Internal Affairs), Counselor Bendeict Sarnoh (Minitry of Justice), Counselor Neto Z. Leigh, Sr (Ministry of Labor), Sando Dazoe Johnson (Ministry of Mines and Energy), and Stephen Zargo (Ministry of National Defense).

The rest are: Cllr. Cooper Kruah (Ministry of Post and Telecommunications), Roland Gidding (Ministry of Public Works), Jacob Kabakole (Ministry of State), Rev. Luther Tarpeh (Ministry of Transport), Cllr. Cole Bangalu (Ministry of Youth and Sports and Patrick Honnah (Presidential Press Secretary).

The leaked purported whatsapp exchanges from the UP also nominated Joseph N. Boakai, Jr for the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), Chris Massaquoi (Liberia National Police), Brownie Samukai (Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company), Armah Jallah (National Port Authority), Stephen R. Johnson (Internal Audit Agency), Mo Ali (WASH Commission) and Dorr Cooper (National Transit Authority).

The list was reported to be the revised version endorsed by the party’s Standard Bearer Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

An objection to the revised listing was raised by Mr. Kpadeh, questioning the omission of citizens from Nimba as prospective cabinet members of the Boakai led-government due to the role played by Senator Prince Johnson and Jeremiah Koung as running mate to Ambassador Boakai.

However, the need for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court to prosecution perpetrators was a reason given to prevent the appointment of more citizens from Nimba in the UP led-government.

The current listing also shows that many executives of the UP residing abroad are given first preference for cabinet positions over those residing and canvasing for the election of Ambassador Boakai back home.

The exchanges further reemphasized the UP commitment to prosecute war and economic criminals following the ascendancy of Ambassador Boakai to the presidency.

UP denies

But in a telephone interview with FrontPage Africa, UP Secretary General Amos Tweh termed the leaked whatsapp exchanges as a mere propaganda being orchestrated against the UP by the governing CDC.

He said the UP is in no way focused on distributing jobs to its executives and others, but remain concerned about the free, fair and transparent conduct of the elections presently.

“This (whatsapp exchanges) is absolute rubbish and the CDC is behind this. George Weah has colluded and cheated his way into a run-off with us. So, he wants to do all he can to win the elections because he has been rejected by the people. Through cheats and collusion, he’s managing to get into a run-off with UP.”

“We are concerned about the elections being won by the UP first and foremost-not that Ambassador Joseph Boakai does not have a plan for this country. We have a development plan well laid out that we have presented to the public. That’s what we are on right now. Distribution of jobs is not the focus of the UP.”

Tweh maintained that UP will not be carried away by the propaganda from the CDC, adding that, “how come people will be on elections and you are saying somebody dividing cabinet positions; that’s just CDC childish propaganda.”

According to him, the opposition political party remains focused on the “collective happiness of Liberia and its citizens.”

Tweh pointed out that for more than four years ago, the UP has supported the establishment of war and economic crimes court in Liberia.

However, he disclosed that, the party is not targeting specific individuals for prosecution.

He said though the CDC is in power, it is allegedly undermining the establishment of the court to prosecute perpetrators of war and economic crimes.

“The UP remains fully committed to the establishment of war and economic crimes court since three to four years ago. We have issued releases to that effect.”

Though the UP has denied knowledge of the listing of its proposed cabinet members, Liberians have been expressing concerns over the publishing of the list marginalizing citizens from Nimba and South-eastern Liberia barely few days to the official announcement of the first-round of voting by the NEC.

On the other hand, executives of the CDC working in government are exerting efforts to ensure the re-election of President Weah.

They have been engaged into canvassing at the grassroot and community levels, thereby imploring plans and strategies, along with their wives, husbands and other family members to retain Weah at the presidency.

By during this, they are confident that they would retain their respective appointed governmental positions, or be transferred from one position to another during the second term of a Weah led-administration

MONROVIA – President George Weah has again taken the lead in the progressive election result being released by the National Elections Commission (NEC) obtaining 43.78% while his rival, Amb. Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party has 43.49%.

The Chairperson of the NEC, Davidetta Browne-Lansannah, on Tuesday announced results from 98.4% of the total number of polling places.

She, however, announced a re-run of the election in parts of Sinoe, Nimba and Montserrado Counties. The rerun is expected to be held on October 20

MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission has released up to 92.98% of the total votes for the presidential elections, making it certain that Liberia will go for a runoff election in November as required by the Constitution unless there is litigation against the process.

As of Monday, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansannah, announced tally results from 5,467 of 5,890 polling places across the country, constituting 92.98% of the total polling places.

She also announced 100% results from three counties, including River Cess, Lofa, and Gbarpolu Counties.

Former Vice President Joseph Boakai is in a very slim lead with 43.70% of the total valid votes, while incumbent President George Weah has 43.65%.

With only 7.02% of polling places left to be counted, it is evident that neither candidate will obtain the constitutional requirement of 50% + 1 vote to be declared the winner of the election.

Below are the results between Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai (JNB) and President George Manneh Weah (GMW) by counties.

MONROVIA – Recent election results released by the National Elections Commission on Sunday now bring the Commission about 75 percent closer to announcing the final results of the October 10 Presidential and General Elections.

On Sunday, the NEC chairperson, Davidetta Browne-Lansannah, announced progressive results from 4,295 of the 5,890 polling places, which constitutes 72.92% of the total polling places.

The NEC disclosed that the progressive results show that 1,355,140 valid votes have been tallied so far while 80,910 invalid votes have been recorded.

President George Weah remains in the lead, but there is a very thin margin between him and Ambassador Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party. According to the NEC, President Weah has obtained 593,558 votes (43.80%) while Ambassador Boakai has 589,977 votes (43.54%).

Below are the results between Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai (JNB) and President George Manneh Weah (GMW) by county.

MONROVIA –The National Elections Commission today continued the announcement of provisional results for the just ended general elections.

According to the NEC, with votes from 2,933 polling places (49.8%) of the total 5890, President Weah obtained 415,895, constituting 44.58% of the total votes tallied so far, while former VP Joseph Boakai is trailing with 402,137, amounting to 43.1%.

Below are the results between Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai (JNB) and President George Manneh Weah (GMW) as per counties.

MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission has released the third batch of election results that now puts incumbent President George Weah in a marginal lead as he’s very closely followed by 78-year-old former Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party.

On Friday, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Davidetta Browne-Lansannah, announced results from 1,527 of 5,890 Polling Places which represents 25.93% of the polling places.

From the results announced, President Weah lead with 216,344 representing 44.56% while Amb. Boakai has obtained 207,217 votes which is 42.69% of the total votes tallied so far.

Below are the results between Amb. Joseph Boakai (JNB) and George Manneh Weah (GMW) as per counties

MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission has released another batch of election results that continue to reflect opposition candidate Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party as leading the October 10 elections, despite being closely followed by the incumbent, George Weah.

The results released by the NEC on Tuesday reflect outcomes from 392 of 5,890 polling places, representing 6.66% of the total polling places.

Amb. Boakai remains in the lead with 57,862 (46.27%), while President Weah has also obtained 49,510, which represents 39.6% of the votes tallied so far.

The pair is followed by Cllr. Tiwan Gongloe, who has 4,483 (3.59%).

Below are the results between Amb. Joseph Boakai (JNB) and George Manneh Weah (GMW) as per counties

Monrovia – The Campaign Committee of the Collaboration Political Parties (CPP) says it is troubled by the preliminary results being attributed to the CPP by the National Elections Commission (NEC).

“From all across the country, partisans and supporters of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) are informing us of troubling concerns that places where they voted, including in large numbers, are reporting ridiculously low numbers for the CPP’s Presidential Ticket. This is also true where CPP down-ballot candidates are projected to win,” the CPP said in a press statement.

The CPP described the results as an “undemocratic trend” and lamented that it is happening at every polling station across the country.

According to the CPP, their partisans and supporters are compelled to conclude that the results for the CPP Presidential Candidate, Alexander Cummings, may have been predetermined and does not reflect the actual ballots.

“We are assessing these troubling reports and alarming concerns and urging all Liberians to be peaceful, as we do so. We are determined to ensure that the true will of the voters are upheld,” the CPP stated.

The statement concluded, “Let there be no mistake: The outcome of the October 10 Elections must be seen by the people of Liberia to freely and fairly reflect their will. Nothing else can be acceptable.”.