Photo credit: Premium Times.
Liberia’s electoral commission, the National Elections Commission (NEC), has scheduled the country’s presidential election run-off for November after the two frontrunners, President George Weah and opposition leader, and former Vice-President, Joseph Boakai, had failed to secure enough votes for a landslide victory at the recent presidential polls, which recorded a record turnout of 78.86% of around 2.4 million registered voters.
According to the results released by the election commission, President Weah held a slim lead at 43.83% of the vote, while Boakai had 43.44%, according to tallied results from 100% of polling stations.
Both candidates have embarked on intensive negotiations to secure support from other political leaders. As they re-strategise on how to build alliances that would bolster their chances at the polls on November 14, pundits in the country say the success or failure of these alliances would be reliant on demands to accommodate some of the political objectives of these political leaders.
A former Foreign Minister of the country, Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, has thrown his full support behind President George Weah’s bid, in anticipation of the upcoming run-off election.
Findley says his decision to back President Weah is rooted in his strong commitment to bringing essential improvements to his stronghold of Grand Bassa County, which includes ensuring access to electricity, enhancing healthcare delivery, and advancing various developmental projects.
On the other hand, the Liberian People’s Party (LPP) has officially endorsed the Unity Party (UP) of Boakai, with the advancement of several recommendations to help move Liberia and its citizens forward in terms of economic growth and development.
Alexander Benedict Cummings, the presidential candidate of the Collaboration Political Parties (CPP) who had gone into the race as a likely frontrunner, has outlined a set of conditions for the two presidential candidates heading to a runoff election, emphasising the establishment of a war and economic crimes court as a key requirement for the CPP’s support.
The issue of the court has long been a contentious topic in Liberian politics. It was recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) over a decade ago, but successive administrations, including the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government and the current Weah-led administration, have failed to implement this recommendation.
During a national address after the results of the first round were announced, Cummings revealed the formation of a committee led by the CPP’s vice standard bearer, Councillor Charlyne Brumskine, which will engage with the two runoff candidates, after both candidates separately reached out to Mr. Cummings to seek his endorsement.
Efforts to build alliances and secure endorsements are still ongoing and Liberians will be watching to know how these political alliances would alter the pledges made by the two candidates before the November run-off.
