Liberia awaits results of pivotal election showdown as US warns against cheating

MONROVIA, Liberia

As Liberia anxiously awaits the final results of its historical first election, preliminary data suggests a nail-biting contest between incumbent President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai. 

The National Elections Commission has begun to announce the official results as both candidates have so far demonstrated strong performances in their respective strongholds, making it a closely contested race.  Analysts are now emphasizing that each candidate's performance in areas traditionally loyal to their opponent could determine the outcome of the race.

If Weah were to lose the election, it would mark a historic moment in Liberian politics, making him the first president in the nation's history to be denied a second term. Boakai, on the other hand, would become the second presidential candidate to return a former ruling party to power since 1878 when the True Whig Party achieved this feat.

A potential victory for Weah would be groundbreaking, with him becoming the first candidate in Liberian history to defeat the same political opponent twice. In the 2017 runoff, Weah secured a decisive win against Boakai, with a 61.5% to 38.5% margin.

However, the dynamics have shifted in 2023, with Boakai putting up a formidable fight, securing 43.44% in the first round compared to Weah's 43.83%. This razor-thin margin led to a runoff, as neither candidate reached the constitutional requirement of 50.1%.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Data from the National Elections Commission further underscores the widespread discontent with the Weah administration, revealing that approximately 57% of Liberians voted for opposition candidates in the first round. 

This signals a significant shift in public sentiment since the 2017 election as the Weah administration, which came to power with promises to tackle corruption and improve livelihoods, faced criticism for its failures to deliver on these commitments.

Meanwhile, The Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations has warned that the US government will call out anyone who undermines the electoral process through fraud, violence, or intimidation.

In a statement released on Wednesday, November 15, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “The United States will continue to promote accountability and will call out anyone who undermines the electoral process through fraud, violence, or intimidation.”