Did the ruling UP-government steal the CDC votes in 2023 Presidential Elections?
Shallon S. Gonlor, Nimba Radio
Josiah Marvin Cole, representative, Bong County District #3, called on dire supporters of Edith Gongloe-Weh, a senatorial candidate in Nimba County, to ensure security for their votes to ensure she becomes the next senator, replacing the late Prince Y. Johnson.
Josiah Marvin Cole, representative, Bong County District #3, called on dire supporters of Edith Gongloe-Weh, a senatorial candidate in Nimba County, to ensure security for their votes to ensure she becomes the next senator, replacing the late Prince Y. Johnson.
Cole accused the ruling UP government of attempting to steal Edith's vote by all means, referencing the 2023 run-off elections between the Coalition for Democratic Change and the Unity Party, in which the UP defeated the CDC.
He then cautioned voters of Edith to be wise, stand still and observe the electoral process in order to protect their votes after casting ballots.
"Be around to protect your vote after voting on Tuesday. You know why? Because the ruling government is trying, by all means, to steal your vote, like they did in the 2023 election. This is the time for a woman. Vote wisely, my Nimba people..."
On 19th April, three days before the by-election, Cole officially endorsed (6:07-6:30) the senatorial bid of Edith Gongloe-Weh.
The 22nd April by-election was held to fill the vacancy left by the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson.
However, Edith's senatorial election bid has drawn local and national leaders of Liberia's concern, including former President Ellen Sirleaf, Vice President Jowel Howard Taylor and others.
It can be recalled that the secretary general of the Coalition for Democratic Party, Jefferson Koijee, filed a complaint raising several issues that allegedly occurred in five districts of Nimba County.
The NEC chairperson also announced that the results from 20 polling places had been quarantined in Grand Kru County. According to NEC, the re-run was due to the number of valid votes, 379, exceeding the number of registered voters, 329.
The NEC held a general election in 2023 where a run-off was held in November.
The rerun and final results of the elections were announced on Monday, November 20, 2023, after these quarantined votes were “reviewed, cleared, processed, and approved” and announced on November 18, 2023.
A statement released by the United States Embassy in Monrovia on November 22 congratulated NEC for “independently organizing the elections under intense pressure and facing daunting challenges,” stating that the election “accurately reflected the will of the people.”
Also, ECOWAS, in its congratulatory letter to Liberia, commended “NEC and all other stakeholders for their commitment to a credible and inclusive election as enshrined in the Farmington River Declaration.”
Local observation groups like the Election Coordinating Commission, in a press release on the November 14 presidential run-off election, stated that “the conduct of a free, fair, and transparent election is a fulfillment of the President’s commitment to holding a credible election.”
Also, the Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON), in a press conference on November 18, 2023, said their midpoint estimate of the November 14 runoff elections is consistent with results announced by NEC.
Conclusion: Based on these facts, we, therefore, conclude that the claim made by Bong lawmaker Cole that the 2023 election was stolen is misleading. There is no evidence to show that the 2023 presidential election was stolen by the Unity Party.
