Similar situation was witnessed at a precinct on the main campus of the Cuttington University campus in Bong County.
Many observers put the low turnout to an unprecedented trucking by many political parties and candidates during the just ended October 10 , presidential and Legislative elections.
Scores of citizens spoken to woundered the potential consequence of trucking to Liberia’s young democracy, especially the reluctance of voters at today,November 14 polls.
Many believe that during the October 10, 2023, elections- legislative candidates trucked the electorate to different parts of the country, and because voters are only allowed to vote 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.
It may be recalled, 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 eleelection 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, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, NEC Chairperson, Madam Davidetta Browne Lasannah, says 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.
Meanwhile, President George Weah cast his vote in the ongoing presidential runoff election at the KendeJa Public School, Rehab Community, Paynesville, Liberia, November 14, 2023.
When finished, President expressed confidence about his reelection. He admonished Liberian electorate to form part of the process, if their voice’s must be heard.
President George Weah finished first with a total of 804,087 votes, constituting 43.83%, in the October 10, 2023, elections.
He was followed by former Vice
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai with a total votes of 796,961, which accounted for 43.44%. With a turnout of 78.86%, citizens engaged in the democratic process, and expressed their hopes and concerns for the country’s future.
As the process continues- reports Bong, Bomi, Geand Bassa, River Gee, Maryland, Lofa and a scores of other counties have so far shown a very low turnout of electorate.
As expressed, Unity Party’s standard bearer Joseph Nyuma Boakai, also cast his vote as part of the ongoing presidential runoff election, and expressed trust in the process.
Former Vice President Boakai voted at Polling Place #1, MaGuire Catholic School, in Paynesville. He expressed confidence in the process, stressing “I’m satisfied with what I saw, I don’t know what is happening around but I hope all is okay.”
The former vice president, Joseph Nyuma Boakai challenged head-to-head with incumbent President George Weah, following the first round on October 10, 2023, general elections, in which both candiates along with 18 other presidential candidates failed to reach the constitutional 50+1 percent votes cast, to secure the presidency.
Amb. Boakai was accompanied by his wife, and the National Chairman of the Unity Party (UP). In a brief engagement with the media at the voting center, Rev. Luthier Tarpeh, stated that the initial star was great and envisaged as adherence to the terms set by the NEC.
