The 2011 presidential and legislative elections have been, given their nature as Liberia’s referendum or watershed elections, the most internationally supported, monitored, and observed of recent African elections. Ironically, they are amongst the most controversial elections on the continent with the National Elections Commission (NEC) constrained to contend constantly with opposition frontrunner, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) over everything – from the ballot color to total vote count. Well, NEC says it has conducted – in keeping with international standards and good election practices – the freest, fairest, and most transparent elections the continent has known. In keeping with the Constitution of Liberia therefore, the commission says it is set to conduct the presidential runoff election. However, the questions circumspect Liberians are asking are, “What about CDC’s boycott threat? What will happen in the event of a boycott?” The Analyst, reports.
“The NEC wishes to announce that none of the 16 presidential candidates obtained an absolute majority (50% +1 vote) of the valid votes cast in the October 11, 2011 polls as prescribed in Article 83 (b) of the 1986 Liberian Constitution to be declared winner of the election. Consequently, none of the candidate is qualified to be declared winner in the presidential contest. “Accordingly, a run-off will be held on November 8, 2011, the second Tuesday after the announcement of the October 11 elections results as prescribed by the Liberian Constitution.
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