By Jerromie S. Walters
It appears that Liberia’s famous and controversial political commentator, Henry P. Costa, has endorsed the reelection bid of President George Manneh Weah.
He met with the President today, October 27, 2023- following his return to Liberia. Costa’s return might display his deep involvement in the ongoing campaign process for the November 14, 2023, runoff election, in the interest of the ruling establishment.
Following his appointment with the President, he wrote via his Facebook page- “I arrived in the country early this morning, and paid a courtesy call on President Weah. The All Liberian Party (ALP) will speak on Sunday, October 29th.”
The National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia recently released the final results from the recently concluded elections, setting the stage for a runoff scheduled for November 14. The NEC declared that after a thorough and transparent electoral process, no candidate secured the 50% +1 vote majority to claim an outright victory.
“With the results of the 10 October polls showing that no presidential ticket obtained 50% of the votes, a runoff elections is hereby declared to be held on Tuesday, 14 November between the two tickets that obtained the highest votes of the CDC and UP,” the NEC boss revealed
At a press conference held at the NEC headquarters, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, NEC Chairperson, Madam Davidetta Browne Lasannah, revealed the final tallies from the October 10 polls, with incumbent President George Weah leading with a total of 804,087 votes, constituting 43.83%, followed by former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai with a total votes of 796,961, accounting for 43.44%. With a turnout of 78.86%, citizens engaged in the democratic process, expressing their hopes and concerns for the country’s future.
The NEC reported that the runoff, slated for November 14, will be a crucial moment for Liberia. The two leading candidates, incumbent President George Weah of the CDC and former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of the former ruling UP, will now intensify their campaigns, vying for the support of the voters who will determine the next leader of the nation.
As the countdown to the runoff begins, the NEC has urged all candidates, political parties, and supporters to maintain the spirit of peace and fair play. The people of Liberia are encouraged to participate actively and peacefully in the upcoming runoff election, exercising their democratic right to choose their next leader.
Security measures will be enhanced across the country to ensure a safe environment for both candidates and voters. The NEC, in collaboration with relevant authorities, is working tirelessly to guarantee a smooth and incident-free electoral process.
The NEC says it remains committed to ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process, upholding the democratic aspirations of the Liberian people. As the nation moves forward toward the runoff on November 14, all eyes are on Liberia, anticipating the peaceful and democratic transition of power.
