Madam Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has commended Liberians for their dedication to exercising their right to vote broadly and peacefully, during yesterday’s runoff election.
Liberians visited the polls yesterday, Tuesday, November 14, 2023, to elect a new government on re-elect incumbent President George Weah, who was elected in 2017.
In a recent statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Liberia’s Runoff Election, she says the Liberian people reaffirmed their commitment to democracy in yesterday’s runoff election.
“The United States will continue to promote accountability and will call out anyone who undermines the electoral process through fraud, violence, or intimidation.”
At each step of this election, she says Liberians from all walks of life have expressed their desire for Liberia – one of the oldest continuous republics in the world – to become a beacon of peaceful citizen-centered democratic governance in the region.
The former U.S. Ambassador to Liberia adds that the United States remains committed to helping the people of Liberia achieve this goal.
Madam Linda Thomas-Greenfield is an American diplomat who serves as the United States ambassador to the United Nations under President Joe Biden. She served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs from 2013 to 2017. Thomas-Greenfield then worked in the private sector as a senior vice president at business strategy firm Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington, D.C
Following Tuesday, November 14, 2023, runoff election, the National Elections Commission (NEC), has commenced with the pronouncement of provisional results, with the opposition Unity Party Standard Bearer, Amb. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, in a slight lead with 50.7 percent, with 22% of the total results so far.
Amb. Boakai leads the incumbent President George Weah, who has so far obtained 48.29 percent of the votes tallied by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
The National Elections Commission (NEC), kickstarted the announcement of provisional Wednesday, November 15, 2023, and disclosed that it has received 22.33% (1,315 of 5,890 Polling Places) Total Votes (Valid + Invalid): 386,076 (15.62%).
With the Consolidated report, the Commission has announced results from 1315 of 5890 polling places.
Contrary to what many saw during the presidential and legislative elections on October 10, 2023, the November 14, 2023, runoff election displayed a low voter turnout during the initial phase, in several counties cross Liberia.
Reports from Montserrrado, Nimba, Lofa, Bong, Bomi, Geand Bassa, River Gee, Maryland, Lofa and a scores of other counties throughout the process, showed a very low turnout of electorate. Like several other counties, the euphoria at the Jawoe Manalah Public School in Gboata, Bong County, revealed a scene of less than two dozens of electorates.Moreover, this is similar to the scene from a precinct at the Cuttington University campus in Bong County.
In Margibi, voters attendance in the round off election in District# 4 Margibi County, at St. Augustine Episcopal Mission High School at polling place 1, and 2 was very poor. Also, it was similar situation at the EJ Yancy Annex, District #3, Margibi County and several other seats in the county.
The turnout of voters during a runoff election is crucial for the democratic process and the legitimacy of the final outcome. However, it was observed that the number of voters that participated in the recentelection was significantly lower than expected.
Scores of citizens we spoke with say several factors could potentially contribute to this low turnout, including- voters trucking, and reluctance of voters because they believe the process isn’t tense like the previous elections.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia released the final results from the recently concluded October 10, 2023, legislative and presidential elections, setting the stage for a runoff scheduled for November 14, 2023.
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.
