Liberia: Nomination process begins in readiness for Oct. 10 presidential and general elections

The nomination of candidates for Liberia’s presidential and general elections commenced Monday, in an exercise expected to end on July 11.

Voters in Liberia go to the polls on October 10 to elect a new president and legislators.
Incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in office since 2006, is not eligible to run after serving two 6-year terms.

Vice President Joseph Boakai is on the ballot for the ruling Unity Party. His major challenger is soccer legend and Senator George Weah of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) party. The new president will take office in January 2018.

There are 20 other parties contesting the polls.
Applicants that seek to be nominated for the presidential and legislative elections must appear in person during the nomination period.

Liberia’s elections guidelines provide for a minimum age of 35 years for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, while legislators should be a minimum of 25 years. In addition, eligible presidential candidates must have resided in the country for at least the last 10 years. The candidates are also scrutinized for tax compliance.

Sirleaf last week described the 2017 elections as a “defining moment for the country”.
The October 10th election poll will be Liberia’s third since democracy was restored with the first election of Sirleaf.

Liberia continues with its recovery despite challenges of institutional capacity and allegations of corruption.

The outgoing president – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – is the first elected female head of state in Africa.

Source: Africa Review