Date Published: 09/08/11

Liberia's Electoral Commission seeks more time for Run-off Elections 

Liberia's National Elections Commission (NEC) is holding consultative meetings with local and international stakeholders to find way on how to successful conduct run-off elections in two weeks after the announcement of result of the first round NEC's head James Fromayan told reporters in Monrovia that the Constitutional stipulation of two weeks to conduct run-off elections in situations where candidates do not meet the absolute majority (50+1 vote) requirement during the first round of polling was insufficient.

He said more time was needed to prepare run-off materials, mobilise and deploy logistical resources and personnel. Fromayan said the NEC would need at least four weeks to conduct successful run-off elections.

Liberians are scheduled to go to the polls on Oct. 11, 2011 in presidential and legislative elections but there is a high probability that many of the elections would end up in a run-off.

About 15 senatorial seats are up for grasp while 73 seats in the House of Representatives are being contested which means in addition to the presidency, a total of 88 legislative run-off elections could be held.

Constitutional attempts to shift the electoral date from October to November as well as to introduce a simple majority system as opposed to the absolute majority system were defeated in a national referendum last August. However, presidential and legislative inaugurations are not due until three months after the election.

The NEC is expected to announce the final list of eligible candidates for this year's presidential and legislative elections on Friday. Liberia has a population of around 3.5 million with eligible registered voters of 1.7 million.

NAN