Statement On The General Elections In Liberia By The Special Representative Of The Secretary-General For West Africa And The Sahel
Dakar – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, visited Liberia from 9 to 12 October in the context of the 10 October general elections. The Special Representative congratulates the Liberian people for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the general election of 10 October 2023. The Special Representative wishes to commend the National Elections Commission and the security forces for their professionalism in the conduct of the elections. He equally urges the National Elections Commission to pursue the tallying process in the same spirit of professionalism and transparency. The Special Representative invites Liberians to continue in their efforts to consolidate democracy through credible, inclusive, and peaceful electoral processes in the country.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 14, 2023 10:02 UTC
Classified US intelligence warned of possible Hamas attack on Israel: Report
The US intelligence agency had prepared two reports days ahead of the Hamas offensive last weekend. Both the reports warned of a possible attack on Israel by Hamas, US officials said. In the weeks leading up to the massive attack by Hamas terrorists on southern Israel, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)’s classified reports warned of a likely escalation in violence, US officials said. The US intelligence agency had prepared two reports days ahead of the Hamas offensive over the weekend. The second classified report was included in a daily CIA intelligence report was distributed to policymakers and lawmakers in the US, the New York Times reported.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 14, 2023 09:56 UTC
Liberia: President Weah Takes Lead in Polls as Election Data Shifts
... Weah, a former international soccer star turned politician, had initially trailed behind Boakai, the former Vice President of Liberia, in the early hours following the October 10 polls. President George Weah has surged ahead in the latest poll results for the Liberian presidency, just two days after former Vice President Joseph Boakai took an early lead. Boakai is contesting on the opposition Unity Party (UP) ticket, while Weah is on the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). Weah, a former international soccer star turned politician, had initially trailed behind Boakai, the former Vice President of Liberia, in the early hours following the October 10 polls. The updated vote tallies are derived from 1,527 of the 5,890 polling places, which represent 25.93% of the total polling places across the country.
Source:Daily Observer
October 14, 2023 06:42 UTC
Health Alliance Forms to Strengthen Africa's Epidemic Preparedness
The African Risk Capacity Group (ARC), Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), and the West African Health Organization (WAHO have formed an alliance to facilitate an integrated approach to strengthen epidemic preparedness and response in ECOWAS countries. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the alliance disclosed that the approach combines sound public policies, innovative financing solutions, and cutting-edge technologies and data expertise to tackle epidemic in Africa. “An integrated approach to strengthening epidemic preparedness and response in the ECOWAS region will be crucial to implementing effective public policies. Laurence Lannes, Senior Economist (Health) from the World Bank, highlighted that the multilateral lender is currently hosting pandemic funds, $2 billion in total. https://www.arc.intInstitut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) is a Senegalese not-for-profit foundation working to advance equitable access to health in Africa, especially in Senegal.
Source:Daily Observer
October 13, 2023 21:27 UTC
Int’l Observers; ECOWAS, EU, EISA Hail Liberians For Voting Peacefully In The Just Ended Election
For the ECOWAS Observation Mission to Liberia, the head of the Mission, Professor Attahiru Jega in the Preliminary Declaration read said, “On election day, the Mission deployed 120 observers, grouped into 54 teams across the country. The atmosphere at polling stations was generally peaceful with security agents present in 91.67% of the polling station visited, the ECOWAS Mission also observed security patrols across voting precincts. Election day was generally calm and peaceful, although isolated cases of incidents in and around voting precincts were reported by observers. “Observation of Election Day showed Liberians’ democratic commitment and was positively assessed by the EOM observers,” he added, indicating that voters had to face long waiting time for voting. 12 Long-Term and Medium-Term Observers (LTOs) from April 2023 observed the preliminary stages of the elections.
Source:GNN Liberia
October 13, 2023 18:50 UTC
Bad Weather, Poor Infrastructure Perennial Threat To Smooth Elections In Liberia
By Paul EjimeIt might take longer for Liberians to know the official result of their 10 October 2023 elections, no thanks to inclement weather conditions in a rainy season and poor infrastructure, especially inaccessible road networks. Consequently, bad weather and poor infrastructure again compounded the electoral logistic and operational problems. Turn-out was high with long queues at many polling centres hours before the official opening time of 0800 am. The majority of the 5,890 polling places opened late due to delay in the arrival of polling officials and/or materials. *Paul Ejime is a Global Affairs Analyst and Consultant on Peace & Security and Governance CommunicationsVisited 51 times, 19 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
October 13, 2023 18:50 UTC
Liberia: EU Accuses Weah of Violating Campaign Financing Regulations
EU Election Observation Mission says President used state resources to gain unfair political advantageIn the aftermath of the October 10 polls, President George Weah is facing allegations of “disproportionate” use of “state resources”, which distorted the political playing field. According to a report by the EU Election Observation Mission to Liberia, the president’s campaign team utilized a lot of state resources to establish a more dominant presence across the 15 political subdivisions of the country. The report noted that “state resources” not only provided the president’s campaign with a substantial advantage but also contributed to a campaign environment characterized by significant disparities. “EU observation showed an obvious disparity in terms of resources available to CDC for the presidential campaign in all 15 counties in terms of billboards, posters, vehicles, and t-shirts, etc. “The widespread use of state resources in the form of official vehicles and buildings was widely observed by the EU EOM observers,” he added.
Source:Daily Observer
October 13, 2023 17:29 UTC
Liberia: EISA Calls on Liberians to Await Final Election Results
Mumba said EISA aims to support the integrity of the 2023 Liberia presidential and legislative elections by assessing and reporting on all aspects of the electoral process. Additionally, Dr. Mumba calls for enforcing the rules in the election law by prosecuting offenses such as voter trucking. Increase the number of voting booths in the polling places to expedite the voting process and improve the habitability of polling places considering size and ventilation,” he added. Mumba calls on the government to promulgate into law provisions on compulsory gender quotas for female candidates in line with Liberia’s international commitment to affirmative action. EISA’s observation methodology is guided by the Declaration of Principles for International Observation (DoP) and its attendant code of conduct for observers.
Source:Daily Observer
October 13, 2023 08:21 UTC
Liberia: Project Accountable Safe Space Women’s Accountability Room Gives Assessment Reports on the October 10 Election
Adding that election poll workers were presuming they (women) were dishonest about their status as baby mothers or pregnant. Other reasons the group says included the issue of special needs individuals taking too much of the election’s poll workers s time. 63% of the polling places observed had a woman presiding officer.”Atty. At 60.9% of polling places, our observer noted voters’ fingers were checked for prior inking. At 80.4% of the polling places visited, observers noted voters’ confusion with identifying their polling enter.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 13, 2023 07:08 UTC
Liberia: Candidates, Political Parties Urged to Accept Results Being Announced by NEC, As Weah, Boakai In Close Race
MONROVIA – Leopoldo Lopez Gil, Head of the Delegation of the European Union Parliament, currently in Liberia to observe the elections, has called on political parties and candidates to accept the results of the October 10 elections as announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC). The EU EOM praised the Liberian government and the National Elections Commission for conducting transparent and well-handled elections. The latest results, according to the NEC were collated from 392 of the 5,890 polling stations across the country, constituting approximately 6.66% of the total polling places. Zargo has 658 votes, equivalent to 9.11% of the total votes. In Montserrado County, incumbent Senator Saah Hardy Joseph of the CDC is leading with 16,472 votes (56.73%).
Source:Front Page Africa
October 13, 2023 05:25 UTC
Press Union of Liberia Appeals to Political Parties to Refrain From Announcing Election Results
Monrovia – In light of the 2023 Presidential & General Elections, the Press Union of Liberia underscores the paramount importance of preserving peace and upholding democratic governance in Liberia. To this end, the Union fervently appeals to all political parties, including the Unity Party (UP) and Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), to refrain from organizing press conferences announcing election results from the polling held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. In an official press statement, the Press Union of Liberia emphasizes the potential consequences of such impulsive announcements, which could incite violence and disrupt the peace of the nation. Meanwhile, the Press Union of Liberia has congratulated the Liberian People for their enthusiastic participation in the elections and their commitment to exercising their right to vote. The Press Union of Liberia reiterates its commitment to fostering a peaceful and democratic environment throughout the electoral process.
Source:Front Page Africa
October 13, 2023 05:08 UTC
Liberia: CPP Troubled by Preliminary Results from NEC
FULL STATEMENTThe Campaign Committee to Elect Alexander B. Cummings President of Liberia is alarmed by the reported numbers the CPP presidential ticket is said to have received so far. While we are still assessing the results at this point, it's important that we flag as a major issue of concern the‘clear pattern that is emerging across the country. This is compelling CPP partisans and supporters to conclude that the results for the CPP presidential ticket may have been predetermined as opposed to reflecting the actual votes cast. We have a duty to our young democracy, our partisans and supporters, and the people of Liberia to do so. Let there be no mistake: The outcome of the October 10 elections must be seen by the people of Liberia to freely and fairly reflect their will.
Source:Daily Observer
October 12, 2023 22:39 UTC
Liberia - Weah, Boakai Both Dominating Provisional Results
-- As Liberians anxiously anticipate official election resultsProvisional results of the Liberian presidential elections have begun rolling out, showing a divide among voters. These open counties would be key to either Weah or Boakai winning the October 10 polls. The Elections Commission has 15 days after the day votes from the day the vote is cast to announce the election results. In remarks after voting yesterday, Boakai briefly urged his supporters to remain peaceful before and after casting their votes. "Let's remain peaceful," said Boakai, who served as Vice President to former President Sirleaf during the Unity Party's 12 years at the helm.
Source:Daily Observer
October 12, 2023 13:12 UTC
Liberia - NEC Attributes Voting Challenges in Southeast to Bad Road
"All efforts by the NEC staff to cross the river from both sides have proven futile so far. "Due to the situation, the Commission will extend the voting time in those areas," the NEC Chair said. Similarly, in Rivercess County, the Timbo River, according to NEC, overflowed its banks, preventing the electoral body's vehicles from crossing. Today, I had the privilege of observing the voting process at polling stations in Monrovia. "Remember, the only election results that matter are the ones announced by the National Elections Commission NEC Liberia," Rodriguez noted.
Source:Daily Observer
October 12, 2023 13:12 UTC
Liberia: U.S Gov’t Urges Liberians to Await Official NEC Results
The U.S. Embassy is aware that multiple candidates and political parties are claiming victory prior to the announcement of official results from the National Elections Commission. For our part, the U.S. Embassy, like other international partners, will be awaiting official results from the NEC before judging the outcome of the election, despite claims by any party or candidate, and we encourage Liberians to patiently do the same. We note the joint post-election press statement from the ECOWAS and African Union election observation missions and agree that “media, political parties, and candidates [should] avoid the temptation to call the elections resultsahead of the NEC’s declaration.”We reiterate our congratulations to the people of Liberia for their participation in the elections and commend the dedication displayed in exercising the right to vote and engage in the electoral process. We continue to urge all citizens, political parties, and political aspirants to await official results calmly, patiently, and peacefully.
Source:Daily Observer
October 12, 2023 13:09 UTC