Weah Faces 19 Rival Contenders, As Over 2.4 Million People Vote In A Hotly Contested Political Race
By Our Staff Writer
Monrovia- Ahead of today’s (Tuesday, October 10, 2023) presidential and legislative elections in Africa’s oldest independent Republic, foreign diplomats have reminded Liberians that “the eyes of the world” are on this country to see whether this country can build on its post-war democratic credentials by successfully holding peaceful, credible, free, fair and transparent elections.
Pre-elections violence in various parts of Liberia has raised tensions and sparked fears in some quarter, prompting numerous appeals to politicians and their supporters to prioritize the urgent need to ensure nonviolent elections.
“The recent tragic loss of lives in Lofa shows us that terrible things can happen when people turn to violence,” said US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Catherine Rodriguez in a special message to Liberians on October 6, 2023. 4 Days To Elections, US Tells Liberians: “Exercise Your Right To Vote Freely And Peacefully” – News Public Trust
The close of the official campaigning on Sunday, September 8, 2023 was marred by bloody clashes between supporters of President George Manneh Weah’s CDC and those of the opposition party of former Finance Minister Lusinee Kamara on the Japan Freeway, which left many seriously wounded and at least one person feared dead.
Polls are expected to open by 8:00 Am GMT across the 15 counties, when 2.471, 617 registered voters are expected to begin casting their ballots The vote will be taking place at 5,890 polling places with 2, 080 precincts.
Incumbent President and former international football icon-turned politician, Weah is making his second term bid and most of his rivals, especially UP’s Boakai and another opposition contender Alexander Cummings of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) have vowed to make the Liberian leader “a one-term President”.
The 2023 election is the fourth general election since Liberia’s second civil war officially ended in 2003.
Voters will also be electing all 73 members of the House of Representatives and half of the country’s 30-member Senate. Their choices will be made from among a list of 1,010 legislative candidates qualified by NEC to contest this election.