Former Vice President Joseph Boakai has emerged as the president-elect of Liberia, according to the latest results announced by Liberia’s National Electoral Commission (NEC). He beats the incumbent President George Weah in a closely contested run-off election conducted on November 14.
This is the fourth election Liberia is holding in its recent history, since the end of its civil war.
With 99.58% of all polling places nationwide reported as at the time of filing this report (5,865 out of 5,890), Boakai secured the lead with 814,212 votes, representing 50.89%, while President Weah closely followed with 785,778 votes, accounting for 49.11%. The margin between the two candidates is 28,434 votes, a difference of 1.78%.
Sources reported that the gap steadily grew since the NEC started counting the results on November 15, a day after the runoff election.
President Weah conceded defeat on Friday evening after the announcement of Boakai’s lead.
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight the CDC (party) has lost the election, but Liberia has won. This is the time for graciousness in defeat, to put national interest above personal interest,” he said in a speech on national radio.
NEC chairperson, Davidetta Browne Lansanah said the vote at one polling station needed to be re-run on Saturday and discrepancies were noticed in results from 20 others, which needed to be investigated.
Boakai’s win is historic as he became the second presidential candidate in the history of Liberia to return a former ruling party to power since 1878 when former President Anthony W. Gardiner did so with the True Whig Party.
Boakai also springs a surprise as he defeats a much younger candidate than himself who is also an incumbent, a feat many would say is contrary to expectations in a country where 63 percent of the population is less than 25 years old.
By this defeat, President Weah becomes the first president in Liberia’s history to fail in his re-election bid, turning the tables just six years after he had won against Boakai in the 2017 runoff, securing a decisive win with 61.5% to 38.5%, after winning the first round with a 10% margin.
Boakai’s impressive outing in the first round, which secured him 43.44% of the vote compared to Weah’s 43.83%, has been ascribed to a well-coordinated campaign that touched on key concerns of Liberians.
During his campaign, Boakai pledged to rescue Liberia from what he described as mismanagement and corruption under the Weah administration. He highlighted the need for a new direction that would prioritise good governance, economic stability, and social welfare, three key areas observers say Weah’s government failed to deliver on.
Weah’s government has vigorously defended its record, insisting that its commitment to development is evident. It also claimed that its achievements in community infrastructure and road construction are well documented. The government has framed these initiatives within the context of its Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).
Time to face the challenges ahead
Boakai faces the immense task of navigating through the social and economic challenges that lie ahead. Sources say one of the first major functions of his administration would be how he forms his cabinet. Many say Weah’s cabinet was made up of cronies who had little experience and knowledge of the needs of Liberians.
A poll conducted in October showed that there is a lack of confidence in the Weah government’s capacity to address Liberia’s challenges, with 65.85% expressing low to deficient trust levels. Meanwhile, the poll showed, a significant majority (78.3%) believed corruption is rampant within the government and public institutions.
The survey paints a grim picture of the socio-economic environment, with 81% describing the current level of poverty as severe, with almost 92% of respondents claiming that they struggle to find stable employment.
Social commentators say the task of revitalising the economy is paramount for Boakai’s team. To address the issue of poor economic growth in Liberia, Boakai’s government must take a conscientious approach toward improving the people’s standard of living.
Many pundits also say Boakai’s main tasks include prioritising healthcare infrastructure and social services, ensuring that citizens have access to quality healthcare and education. His government also needs to end the country’s over-reliance on its two main exports, iron ore, and rubber, which has left the country vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations.
Boakai would also need to invest in roads, ports, energy, and telecommunications to facilitate trade, reduce transportation costs, and attract foreign investment, they say. The options include public-private partnerships to finance and develop critical infrastructure projects.
It is not lost on Liberians that Weah’s administration also inherited these issues from the past government, which Boakai was a part of, and cannot be solely held responsible for these problems. It is for this reason that many say Boakai would need to buckle down to the task ahead if he is to maintain the support he has.
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