Liberia: Supreme Court halts presidential run-off election Nov. 1 /update 7

Event

The Supreme Court has halted the presidential run-off election on Wednesday, November 1 while it considers charges over alleged irregularities in the first round of the election. The run-off had been scheduled to be held on November 7. Political rallies, protests, and related traffic disruptions are likely in the coming weeks.

Context

On October 10, voters took to the polls to choose a successor to current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The vote was held without incident. As none of the candidates secured more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round, former football star George Weah and Vice President Joseph Boaki had been set to face off in the second round of voting on November 7.

While international observers did not report any major problems with the October 10 election, reports of alleged irregularities quickly emerged after the vote. The Liberty Party first filed a formal complaint with the NEC on October 23. On October 30, the ruling Unity Party joined the Liberty Party and the All Liberian Party in filing a complaint with the National Election Commission (NEC), demanding that the October 10 vote be annulled due to alleged irregularities (e.g. late opening of polls, allegations of fraud, etc.). The Liberty Party first filed a complaint with the NEC on October 23. In a statement released by the three political parties, incumbent President Johnson Sirleaf, a member of the Unity Party, was accused of interfering with the results of the elections by privately meeting with election officials.

Advice

Individuals present in Liberia are advised to monitor local news and to avoid any political rallies or protests, as violence may flare up without warning.​