Liberia awaits election results

Liberians are waiting with bated breath as the National Elections Commission (NEC) slowly receives and tallies results from 5,890 polling places for the October 10 presidential and legislative elections.

The 15 counties have 19 magistrates for the collation.

Under Liberia's electoral laws, the election management body has 15 days after voting day to declare results. However, it is expected that by the fifth day, the president-elect will be known.

The delay could be attributed to the poor condition of roads leading to hard-to-reach areas during the six-month rainy season.

As predicted by pundits, early results indicate a straight battle between incumbent President George Weah and former Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai. But many others insist that with 20 candidates, there is likely to be a second round.

After a day's national holiday for voting, the people are going about their normal daily activities, with many others glued to their radio sets listening to the results as to which of the 20 presidential candidates will lead the country for the next six years.

Polling Places

Each polling place's results will be sent to their respective county magistrates (regions) for collation and onward transmission to the national headquarters for declaration.

The Daily Graphic team observed that the poll, which commenced at 8am and ended at 6pm on Tuesday, was generally peaceful despite the initial complaints of a slow voting process at some centres. No major incidents were recorded, except for a few areas that had delayed voting.

Voting

On voting day, voters queued as early as 4am, with the elderly and people with disabilities often given priority to vote.

Red Cross

At each polling precinct (a collection of polling places), personnel of the Liberia Red Cross in their red and white vests were on hand to provide first aid to voters. They were seen distributing drinking water to voters who had stood in the queue for long hours.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr. Richards Gweh, a member of the Red Cross, said the move was part of their contribution to a successful election and a peaceful Liberia.

ECOWAS Observers

Over 500 local and international observers were accredited by the NEC for the elections.

In almost every polling precinct, observers were seen watching the processes keenly.

ECOWAS, on September 10, deployed 15 long-term observers to all 15 counties who had been serving as detectors of challenges and other issues for the regional body to be able to engage in early warning mechanisms for preventive diplomacy.

About a week to the election day, the West African regional bloc deployed an additional 80 short-term observers for the voting process.

The entire ECOWAS Observation Team is headed by Prof. Attahiru Jega, the former National Independent Election Commission of Nigeria.

Legislative elections

Under the legislative elections, the country will elect 30 senators for the upper house and 73 for the lower house.