As the National Elections Commission (NEC) carefully collects and tallies results from 5,890 polling locations for the October 10 presidential and parliamentary results, Liberians are watching with bated breath.
For the collation, there are 19 magistrates among the 15 counties.
The election administration authority has 15 days after election day to announce results in accordance with Liberian electoral regulations. However, it is anticipated that the president-elect would be known by the fifth day.
The delay can be caused by the poor condition of the roads leading to remote locations during a six-month rainy season.
As the National Elections Commission (NEC) carefully collects and tallies results from 5,890 polling locations for the October 10 presidential and parliamentary results, Liberians are watching with bated breath.
For the collation, there are 19 magistrates among the 15 counties.
The election administration authority has 15 days after election day to announce results in accordance with Liberian electoral regulations. However, it is anticipated that the president-elect would be known by the fifth day.
Early results show a clear contest between incumbent President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, as predicted by analysts.
However, a lot of people feel that a second round is likely with 20 candidates.
Liberians are going about their regular daily activities following a day-long national holiday for voting, with
Results from each polling location will be transmitted to the appropriate county Magistrates (regions) for collation and then to the national headquarters for declaration.
Despite initial concerns about the lengthy voting process at some centers, the election, which took place on Tuesday from 8 am to 6 pm, was mainly calm, according to a Graphic Online team covering the event in Liberia.
Except for few regions where voting was delayed, no significant events were reported.
Voting
Voters began lining up at 4 am on election day, with the elderly and those with disabilities being given preference.
Blood Cross
Employees of the Liberia Red Cross in their red and white vests were on hand to administer first aid to voters at each voting place.
Mr. Richards Gweh, a member of the Red Cross, explained the action in an interview with Kwamena Nyamekye of Graphic Online, saying it was part of their contribution to good elections and a tranquil Liberia.
observers from ECOWAS
The NEC accredited more than 500 domestic and foreign observers for the elections.
Observers could be spotted closely observing the procedures in practically every voting precinct.
On September 10, ECOWAS sent 15 Long Term Observers to each of the 15 states to act as challenge detectors and other early warning systems so that the regional organization could engage in preventive diplomacy.
The West Africa regional bloc sent 80 more short-term observers to monitor the voting process a week before election day.
Prof. Attahiru Jega, a former national independence election commissioner for Nigeria, is in charge of the entire ECOWAS observation team.
30 senators for the upper house and 73 representatives for the lower house will be chosen during the legislative elections.
