LIBERIA, a nation still healing from the scars of its civil war that ended in 2003, is set to hold its fourth general election on October 10. The highly anticipated event will see George Weah, the 1996 World Footballer of the Year and the only African recipient of the prestigious award, vying for a second six-year presidential term.
In addition to the presidential race, fifteen senators and 73 members of the House of Representatives will also be up for election, making this a crucial moment in the country’s democratic journey.
However, Liberia faces a challenge in the form of a low level of trust in the National Elections Commission (NEC). Experts highlight that much will depend on the willingness of political parties to maintain transparency and fairness throughout the electoral process, rather than relying solely on institutional safeguards.
To address this concern, political parties have committed to the Revised Farmington River Declaration 2023, a document that binds them to peaceful campaigning and conduct that adheres to the rule of law. The declaration unequivocally condemns hate speech, political violence, and any attempts at underhanded electoral manipulation.
Although the declaration is not legally binding, it grants the NEC the authority to impose sanctions on signatories found to be in breach of their pledges, thus promoting accountability and transparency.
The Johannesburg-based Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) emphasised the pivotal role of the Farmington River Declaration in ensuring the election’s success. In a statement, EISA urged political candidates to view the declaration as a living document with the potential to inspire similar commitments across the African continent.
Similarly, the Alliance for Transitional Justice (ATJ), a coalition of 16 civil society organisations in Liberia, is closely monitoring the elections. They believe that the credibility of these elections has the potential to elevate Liberia as a shining example and inspire other post-war nations in Africa while bolstering the continent’s political image.
According to Afrobarometer’s latest survey, Liberians express strong support for democracy and aspire to a free and fair electoral process. However, their trust in the NEC remains lukewarm, with a positive perception rating of just 34 percent.
The survey revealed that ‘an overwhelming majority (92 percent) of Liberians support elections as the best way to choose their leaders.’ Additionally, most Liberians value political pluralism as a cornerstone of their democracy, with 59 percent expressing the need for many political parties to ensure genuine voter choices.
Furthermore, the majority of respondents in the Afrobarometer survey emphasised the importance of accepting electoral outcomes. ‘More than three-quarters (78 percent) of respondents say that once an election is over, the losing side should accept defeat and cooperate with the government to help develop the country,’ the report stated.
George Weah, who lost to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005 but later served as a senator and eventually won the presidency in 2017, faces his old rival, Joseph Boakai, once again as front runners in this election. Citizens, as per the Afrobarometer survey, fondly remember Weah’s previous election as free and fair and hope for a similarly positive atmosphere in the upcoming polls.
As Liberia stands at the precipice of another crucial electoral exercise, the nation’s commitment to democracy and peaceful elections remains paramount. All eyes are on the political parties to uphold their pledge and ensure a fair and credible electoral process that will set a positive example for the entire continent.
