COMMENDS PRESIDENT WEAH FOR GRACEFULLY ACCEPTING ELECTINO RESULTS
Monrovia, Liberia – The U.S. Embassy has congratulated President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai on winning the November 14 presidential runoff. The embassy also commends President George Weah for gracefully accepting the election results, emphasizing the significance of peaceful democratic transitions.
On November 20, 2023, the National Elections Commission declared the official results of the presidential runoff on November 14, 2023, declaring Boakai winner. According to the embassy, both the general elections on October 10 and the runoff were successful, solidifying Liberia’s democratic victories following the civil war and solidifying its status as an African leader in democratic self-governance.
The embassy further stated that a great deal of persons and organisations should be acknowledged for Liberia’s historic accomplishment. Among them are common Liberians who peacefully and patiently waited in long lines to cast their ballots for their country’s leaders. They also comprise the different candidates, political parties, civil society, and media outlets that contributed significantly to a nonviolent election process.
The embassy extends special congratulations to the NEC for successfully holding the elections on its own in the face of extreme pressure and formidable obstacles. To ensure that voting materials were available at all 5,890 polling stations in Liberia in time for voters to cast their ballots, NEC employees braved hazardous roads and long distance travel. They patiently explained the procedure to party representatives while they worked long hours counting ballots and resolving occasionally contentious issues at tallying centres.
Additionally, the embassy stated that the NEC Commissioners’ regular news conferences were an example of openness. In a prompt manner, commissioners answered queries from the media and informed the public of the results of the election. Ordering recounts and revotes when needed, they moved swiftly to address valid concerns about the integrity of the elections.
“The NEC’s performance is even more remarkable and deserves our special commendation because the 2023 elections were the first conducted since the end of the Liberian civil war without any direct financial support from the international community. Liberians should be proud of themselves for peacefully turning out to vote. They should also be proud of the NEC for meeting the challenge and independently executing its mandate to administer an election process that accurately reflects the will of the people. ”
