LIBERIA: ONE AND HALF MILLION REGISTERED IN FIRST PHASE VOTER REGISTRATION

The National Elections Commission of Liberia has announced that at the end of the first phase of voter registration exercise, it has recorded one and half million people registered for the October 10, 2023 general elections in Liberia.

“The Commission is pleased to inform you that the voter registration exercise in Phase One counties of Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi and Montsurrado was successfully concluded on 9 April 2023 as planned.” Davidetta BROWNE, NEC chair, told journalists.

Retrieval of BVR equipment and materials to NEC Headquarters was completed on 11 April 2023. As the equipment were being received in the NEC Headquarters Warehouse, they were being serviced and reconfigured for redeployment in Phase Two counties of Bong, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Maryland, Nimba, River Gee, River Cess and Sinoe.

The NEC Chair told journalists that with the introduction of every technology, it is not unusual for glitches and other challenges at the initial stages of using new machines to conduct the process.

“We had quite a few. In order to address potential glitches in the second phase, the Commission on 13 April held a one-day internal lessons learnt workshop to understand the challenges that were encountered in Phase One, such as improper connection and powering of the equipment, BVR centers ownership, timing of meal allowance payment, logistics, etc. Having identified the root causes of the challenges, the NEC is taking remedial actions to better the second phase.” She intimated.

According to the Chairperson of Liberia’s National Elections Commission, a total of 1,435,209 persons registered during the first phase of registration.

“Preliminary results from Phase One show a total of 1,435,209 (One Million Four Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand Two Hundred and Nine) registrants. Of this number, 711,410 (Seven Hundred Eleven Thousand Four Hundred and Ten) are females while 723,799 (Seven Hundred Twenty-Three Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety-Nine) are males. This figure is subject to change due to the ongoing deduplication and adjudication process.” She said.

The breakdown of registrants per county in Phase One includes:
County Registered
Bomi 64,395
Gbarpolu 50,887
Grand Bassa 157,712
Grand Cape Mount 86,589
Margibi 184,425
Montserrado 891,201
TOTAL 1,435,209