Today, on Tuesday, 14th November, Liberians are at the polls, faced with the decision of granting former footballer George Weah a second term as president despite a controversial record or electing political veteran Joseph Boakai, notwithstanding his age.
The closely contested run-off echoes the 2017 showdown, where Weah emerged victorious in the second round with over 61 percent. The initial round in October saw Weah, 57, and Boakai, 78, in a tight race, with the incumbent holding a 7,126-vote lead.
This election marks a significant moment as the first since the conclusion of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in 2018, initiated after two civil wars claimed over 250,000 lives from 1989 to 2003.
Observers stress the importance of preserving peace and respecting the final results. The UN stated, “The 2023 elections undoubtedly represent a crucial milestone in the consolidation of peace and democracy in Liberia and the wider region.”
With more than 2.4 million registered voters, polls are open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The choice lies between the popular incumbent, Weah, who must defend a controversial record, and Boakai, an experienced figure who served as vice president from 2006 to 2018 under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first woman president.
Boakai’s extensive public and private sector roles contrast with concerns about his age being a potential obstacle.
The electoral commission has 15 days to release results but may do so sooner, according to Samuel Cole, one of its officials.
