Liberia's Election Updates

• Goodluck Jonathan Leads West African Delegation to Monitor Liberia’s 2023 Election

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is heading a West African delegation known as the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to oversee Liberia’s upcoming election scheduled for October 10. The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s spokesperson, Wealth Ominabo, announced this on Sunday, stating that Jonathan and the delegation departed Nigeria for Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, on Saturday.

The mission comprises prominent figures, including former Burkina Faso Prime Minister and ex-president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Kadre Ouedraogo. Their primary objective is to observe the electoral process and support peaceful elections, drawing on their experience as former regional leaders to contribute to the consolidation of democracy in Liberia

• UN Human Rights Concerned Over Journalists Safety

The United Nations Human Rights Office says it is concerned by reported instances of election-related violence, use of language that could amount to hate speech, and attacks on journalists in Liberia ahead of the general election on 10 October.

"Our Office has also documented eight attacks on journalists by various political actors, two of which resulted in injuries. We call on the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that elections can take place in a fully inclusive manner allowing for the safe participation of all. The Government must ensure that journalists can do their jobs freely and safely. All political actors must refrain from inciting violence or hatred."

• Campaign Activities Come to Close Today ahead of Tuesday's Polls

Campaign activities for the 2023 general election in Liberia is set to come to a close today, October 8, ahead of the Tuesday's election. The opposition Unity Party on Saturday, October 7 concluded its campaign activities with a "pre-victory" march across the principle streets of Monrovia. UP's Political Leader and former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai was seen riding on a trailer that drove him across the city as supporters marched along.

The ruling CDC on the other hand chose the final day of campaign to climax its activities as thousand of supporters have gathered at the party's headquarters in Congo Town.

President George Weah, who had traveled to the Southeastern part of the county to persuade voters for another six years, early Sunday evening arrived in Monrovia to climax his campaign at his party's headquarters.

There are 19 candidates hoping to replace incumbent President Weah, who is seeking a second six-year term.

• ECOWAS Donates Vehicles, Computer Equipment to NEC

ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia, Amb. Josephine NKRUMAH, on Friday, October 6 handed over four off-road vehicles, a batch of computer, IT and office equipment to the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Mrs Davidetta Browne LANSANAH.

This donation, according to ECOWAS, is in addition to its financial support of US$500,000 to the NEC, and the deployment of more than hundred observers. ECOWAS also provided a team of technicians to assist and support the NEC in the management of the technical infrastructure for the collection, the processing and the dissemination of voting data and results of the 2023 general elections.

Prior to Friday's donation, ECOWAS observers had a meeting with Prof. Attahiru Jega, Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, as part of their deployment to Liberia. Prof. Attahiru Jega was accompanied by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr Abdul-Fatau Musah, and Ambassador Josephine NKRUMAH.

At this meeting, Prof. JEGA stressed in his speech that ECOWAS regularly deploys election observation missions to its Member States to ensure that elections are conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, with a view to build and consolidate peace and security in the region.

• Election Materials Arrive in Southeastern Liberia

A team of observers from the European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) on last week Sunday, Oct. 1, observed the arrival of sensitive and non-sensitive election material in Harper, Maryland county. The material, according to EU EOM arrived by boat and will be delivered to three counties, Maryland, Grand Kru and River Gee.

The EU EOM has been "been observing the electoral process for a month now." on Friday, it deployed 40 Short-Term Observers (STOs) to all 15 counties of the country. A Delegation of 7 members of the European Parliament headed by Mr Leopoldo Lopez Gil and around 20 diplomats from EU Member States accredited in Liberia will also be integrated in the mission.