-Electorate attribute it to voters trucking, others
By Jerromie S. Walters and Rancy Clarke-Bong
Contrary to what many saw during the presidential and legislative elections on October 10, 2023, the ongoing runoff election has so far displayed a low voter turnout during the initial phase, in several counties cross Liberia.
Reports Bong, Bomi, Geand Bassa, River Gee, Maryland, Lofa and a scores of other counties have shown 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.
The turnout of voters during the start of a runoff election is crucial for the democratic process and the legitimacy of the final outcome. However, it has been observed that the number of voters participating in the early stages of this election has been 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.
They believe during the October 10, 2023, elections- legislative candidates trucked electorate to different part of the country, and because voters are only allowed to voter where they registered, those that were trucked doing the previous elections might not have the resources to return to those places they were trucked to.
As anyone may also believe, they say candidates that trucked voters to those counties but didn’t win, will obviously not transport them for the runoff election.
October 10, 2023, and the runoff election
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.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) reported that the runoff, that’s currently ongoing, 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, are the only two presidential candidates in the process.
Following the disclosure of the runoff date, the NEC 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 runoff election, exercising their democratic right to choose their next leader.
Security measures, as assured by NEC Boss, is being enhanced across the country to ensure a safe environment for both candidates and voters.
The NEC says it remains committed to ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process, upholding the democratic aspirations of the Liberian people.
