PHOTO: WANEP Election Situation Room eminent persons addressing the press after polls closed last Tuesday evening
By Our Staff Writer
Presidential and legislative elections in Liberia have passed largely peacefully without major incidents related to violence reported by observers and the media so far, as the National Elections Commission (NEC) poll workers continue counting and tallying of votes.
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”.
Among the 19 presidential candidates trying to unseat Weah are two female politicians, Sarah Beysolow Nyanti of the African Liberation League party and Bendu Kromah, an Independent candidate.
One of these 20 men and women could become Liberia’s next President
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.
“Generally, voting is largely proceeding peacefully without any major disruption reported. The joint security is said to be on full alert to respond to any security threats,” said the Election Situation Room of the West Africa Network for Peace (WANEP) Election Situation Room (ESR) in its preliminary report released after the close of polls Tuesday evening, October 10, 2023.
The WANEP ESR has deployed 150 observers throughout this West African county in identified hotspots across 13 of Liberia’s 15 counties. It is partnership with the Office of the Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission in Liberia and the National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM)
Below is the statement released to the press by Liberia’s Eminent Members of ESR Decision Room:.
Electoral Violence Monitoring, Analysis and Mitigation (E-MAM)
Election Situation room
Liberia’s General and Presidential Elections
Election Day Progress
Presence of Observers
ESR data gatherers reported that political parties and other candidates’ representatives covered only 45.65% of polling places. Other elections observers were present at 94.93% of polling places.
Voting Process
Generally, voting is largely proceeding peacefully without any major disruption reported. The joint security is said to be on full alert to respond to any security threats.
Incidents
Technical Incidents
- Smart Academy, District #5 in Monrovia’s Paynesville suburb – Physical violence erupted due to the late opening of the polling station;
- John Bakalu, District #3, Bong County – Some voters came in with their mobile phones and the poll workers did not take notice, something that is in violation of NEC’s rule.
Security Incidents
- In Montserrado County, District #13, Battery Factory at Mother Kebeh Academy polling station, a voter was caught with two voter ID cards, but he escaped the scene later.
- In Montserrado County, Paynesville city, district #5 at Smart Academy, there was a fist fight between security personnel and some voters.
- In Montserrado County, district #10 (which is one of the hotspots) at the Wells Hairston High School, it was reported that two persons were caught with false voting cards and another two were caught but the reasons have not been clarified.
- In Nimba County, district #1 at Tokay Hill Community, Foundation Academy Daycare Center, a presiding officer of polling place number 5 identified as Marcus was seen in conversation with one of the candidates in his car, after which the voters asked that he be replaced.
Recommendations
- NEC staff must remain observant as the process moves into full swing to identify potential fraudsters.
- The Joint Security must without delay fast track the investigation of all electoral fraud cases.
- NEC needs to reprimand her staff who were not vigilant in scrupulously implementing established elections guidelines.