The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dispatched long-term election observers to Liberia for the 2023 Presidential Election Runoff, scheduled for November 14. The runoff will see incumbent President George Weah, who secured 804,087 votes or 43.83 percent in the first round, face off against former Vice President Joseph Boakai, who garnered 796,961 votes or 43.44 percent.
Since November 7, ECOWAS's team of long-term electoral observers (LTOs) has been stationed in various counties across Liberia. These experts specialize in fields such as Elections Administration, Political Affairs, Gender and Civil Society, Constitutional Law, Security, and the Media. They initially arrived in Liberia between September 11 and October 18 for the October 10 elections and are continuing their work to provide early warnings for preventive diplomacy.
On November 9, these long-term observers will be joined by an additional contingent of 80 short-term colleagues. This group includes representatives from the ECOWAS Council of Wise Men, CEDEAO Parliament, Community Court of Justice, Ministries of Foreign Affairs from ECOWAS Member States, electoral management bodies, and civil society organizations.
Professor Attahiru Jega will lead the ECOWAS observation mission (EOM) during this second round. Jega is known for his previous role as president of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The deployment was approved by Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. It falls under Articles 12 to 14 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance of 2001, which supports member states conducting elections.
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