Liberia: MOVEE Re-strategize Campaign Tactics for Nov. 14 Presidential Runoff

As the November 14 presidential runoff elections in Liberia draw near, the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) recognizes the need to adapt and re-strategize its campaign tactics. 

With fierce competition ahead, MOVEE aims to gain an edge over their opponent, the opposition Unity Party, by appealing to a broader range of voters and addressing key concerns that resonate with the electorate.

MOVEE is one of the political parties within the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) that is supporting the re-election of President George M. Weah.

One crucial aspect of MOVEE's re-strategizing efforts involves refining their messaging and communication strategies. The party understands that effectively conveying their policies and vision is essential in capturing the attention and support of voters.

Speaking during the party’s emergency national executive committee meeting, D. Maxwell Saah Kamayah, standard bearer of MOVEE, informed members that the objective of the engaging was to bring together all of its executive members to redesign new strategies to ensure that they go out in the trenches, house to house, for Weah's re-election.

He said, “Today the party under our leadership has convened an emergency executive committee meeting, which saw the participation of our leaders and committee chairs from the 15 counties of Liberia.” 

According to him, the emergency national executive committee meeting was further aimed at taking stock of the just-ended first round of the presidential and legislative elections in the country.

Kemayah further explained that though the first round was not limited, he thought to have placed more emphasis on that because it is for the presidency that they are going for a runoff on November 14. 

“As we are aware, that first round also saw elections for representatives and Senators, and in perusing the constitution of 1986, no candidates received the required 50% plus 1 vote, and as such, there were no presidential candidates that won on the ballot. It is very pleasant that our candidate (President Weah) emerged in the first round through a free, fair, peaceful, transparent, and inclusive election, not just one of the two top presidential candidates, but with the most votes,” Kemayah stressed.

According to the National Elections Commission, Weah topped the October 10 election results with 804,087 votes, constituting 43.83%. While Boakai, a former Vice President, secured 796,961 votes, which represents 43.44%. With neither candidate reaching the 50% threshold, a runoff election has been scheduled to take place.

The just-ended October 10 polls, which are the tightest presidential contest in postwar Liberia's history, produce a rematch of the 2017 election results in which Boakai trailed Weah in the first round of voting and then lost a runoff by a wide margin.

Kemayah acknowledged that, though Liberians did not give Weah the presidency on the first ballot, it was against that background and in pursuing MOVEE’s unreserved commitment as a party to the CDC. 

He said, “We’re going from house to house across the country in an effort to further consolidate the campaign activities for the overwhelming re-elections of President Weah on November 14.

“Yet, we were out as a party during the first round, but again, we saw it prudent that, with the pending run-off elections, we could meet, fix up things, and get back to the field. Before doing that, I would like to reiterate our expressed gratitude to all of our members across the county.”

Kemayah concluded by recognizing the invaluable role played by members in reaching out to partisans throughout the first round of the campaign trip in Liberia.