The National Election Commission is on the verge of declaring George Manneh Weah the winner of the December 26th runoff presidential election. With votes tabulated from 98.1% of Liberia’s 5390 polling sites, the NEC reported, as of 4:00 pm today, that Weah received 61.5 percent of the vote. Vice-President Joseph Boakai, the Unity Party candidate, received 38.5% of the vote. Observer – George Manneh Weah Liberia’s Next President FPA – George Weah Poised to be Liberia’s Next President Turnout was at 56%, down from the 75% participation rate for the October 10th election. Observer – Low Voter Turnout Due to Frustration Shifted Priorities Boakai has pledged to respect the outcome of the election as long as it meets standards which are deemed credible, fair, and transparent. FPA – VP Boakai Promises to Accept Results if…..

If Weah’s electoral victory stands, he will be inaugurated as Liberia’s 25th president onJanuary 22, the third working Monday in January as provided by Liberia’s Constitution. His inauguration would mark the first peaceful transition from one president to another since 1944 when Edwin Barclay was succeed by William V.S. Tubman, who went on to serve for 27 years. FPA – Presidential Succession in Liberia Some commentators note that in 1944 there was no universal suffrage, so that this succession is unique. Weah’s supporters were celebrating on the streets of Monrovia on Thursday evening. NPT – Weah Supporters Celebrate

Weah, the standard-bearer of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) ran on a platform built on four pillars – Power to people; economy and jobs; sustaining the peace; and governance and transparency.  He has called for “change that will move Liberia forward from a low to a middle income country, where the affordability of basic goods and services will no longer be a luxury to the privileged, but rather a right to all Liberians; the practice of corruption, injustice, resources mismanagement and low performance will have no place in our society.”  FPA – Who’s Best for Liberia, Weah or Boakai Weah’s running mate is Jewel Howard Taylor of Bong County. Her former husband, Charles Taylor, was convicted of international crimes against humanity and is serving a 50 year sentence at a British prison. Weah was elected to Liberia’s Senate in 2014. Howard Taylor has served in the Senate since 2005.

Controversy swirled in the period leading up to the December 26 runoff election. Multiple appeals were launched by political parties after the October 10th general election results were announced. Liberia’s Supreme Court ruling upheld the validity of the October 10thelection results, setting the stage for the runoff election. The NEC was ordered by the Court to take corrective measures, particularly in regard to the security and accuracy of the master list of registered voters. FPA – Liberia’s Runoff Elections: Voters Apathy, Allegations of Cheating Overshadow

Several incidents of fraudulent voting were reported in Liberia’s press. FPA – Polling Staff, Voter Apprehended at Monrovia Polling Site Observer- Fear of Fraud Looms NDI – Preliminary Report on December 26 Election The administration of the runoff appears to have improved compared to October 10th election. Delegations from the Carter Center, National Democratic Institute, African Union, U.S. Embassy, and the Economic Community of West African States observed the election, as well as several Liberian NGOs. “The December 26 voting and counting processes were peaceful, well-conducted and showed marked improvements as compared to the October 10 polls” begins the NDI Preliminary Statement. “I am proud of Liberians, who have come from crisis to democracy and have shown themselves to be a model of peace and stability in the region,” said NDI delegate and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. “Democracy goes beyond Election Day, and if Liberia succeeds, West Africa succeeds, Africa succeeds, and the world succeeds.” NDI – Preliminary Statement on Dec. 26 Election ECOWAS declared the election “free, fair, and transparent”. FPA – ECOWAS “Free, Fair, Transparent” The Carter Center and U.S. Embassy have not released a statement on the election.

If the election result is uncontested, the next step in the process will be a presidential transition leading up to the inauguration on January 22. On December 25, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf signed into law a presidential transition bill, Executive Order No. 91, which provides a framework for the transition between the outgoing and incoming administrations. The bill names a Presidential Transition Team and establishes the team’s functions and powers. FPA – Sirleaf Sets Up Team for Transition of Power Observer – Senate Passes Presidential Transition Act There is great interest in the cabinet that will be nominated by the new president.