Liberia’s ruling party accuses opposition of electoral fraud

The Liberian ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has asserted that the opposition rigged last week’s presidential run-off poll, which saw incumbent president George Weah lose to Joseph Boakai, a former vice president.

Despite the allegation, the party that produced the outgoing president said it would not contest the election in court, adding that the party wishes to maintain unity in Liberia.

Mr Boakai’s Unity Party has not yet responded to the electoral fraud allegations.

In his widely applauded concession speech last week, Mr Weah said “the Liberian people have spoken and we have heard their voice” and that it was “a time for graciousness in defeat, a time to place our country above party, and patriotism above personal interest.”

Recall that the former African football icon, who once played for the Italian giant, AC Milan, conceded defeat on Friday evening once it was clear that his rival, Joseph Boakai, had led him in the race.

The former Vice President of the West African country won by over 20,000 votes, according to the election results released on Monday.

The election, according to local and international election observer groups, including those from the regional bloc Ecowas bloc and the European Union, was free, fair, transparent, and credible.