Liberia: NTGL Chair ,Gyude Bryant Misses Ballot
Liberia’s transitional leader Charles Gyude Bryant dealt a major blow to
his administration when he forgot to cast his ballot in the country’s
first national elections in post-war Liberia.
A FrontPageAfrica correspondent in Monrovia said Bryant, who is a member of
the Liberian Action Party was flown to his hometown in Harper, Maryland
County to cast his under United Nations escort but when he arrived, the NTGL
chief apparently forgot to bring along his voting card.
Irregularities cited
Reports from several ballot stations in across suggests some minor
irregularities which may affect the outcome of the votes.
A source close to the Varney Sherman camp, observing one of the polling
stations told FrontPageAfrica today that as balloting closed for the day,
most of the stations did not have electricity, thus election workers were
forced to count ballots in the dark.
At one station, an elderly lady who appeared to be unable to read or write
and had gone to cast her vote for Winston Tubman was convinced to cast her
vote for another candidate, according to a FrontPageAfrica observer at a
voting booth in Paynesville, just outside Monrovia.
Liberians Voting In A Peaceful Atmosphere - 10/11/2005 2:00:07 PM
John Walsh
[log in to unmask]
Monrovia Bureau Chief
Monrovia, Oct. 11- The National Elections Commission says it is pleased that
all is well and the elections is taking place in a generally calm and
peaceful atmosphere.
The NEC Chairman, Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris, speaking at a news
conference at the NEC Headquarters Tuesday, said voters rose as early as
midnight, went to claim their space in the queue and have been in line
since.
There are currently thousands of Liberians queuing at the 3,070 polling
places around the country. “The NEC welcomes this clear demonstration of
enthusiasm and participation in this important step in Liberia’s
democratic process,” Cllr. Morris said.
She reported that as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the NEC had received information
from 830 out of the 1,421 polling precincts which are classified as the most
easily accessible. “Information from 336 more of the 1,421 polling
precincts considered difficult to reach will be available by 19:00hrs
tonight,” she said.
Liberia: NTGL Chair ,Gyude Bryant Misses Ballot
Liberia’s transitional leader Charles Gyude Bryant dealt a major blow to
his administration when he forgot to cast his ballot in the country’s
first national elections in post-war Liberia.
A FrontPageAfrica correspondent in Monrovia said Bryant, who is a member of
the Liberian Action Party was flown to his hometown in Harper, Maryland
County to cast his under United Nations escort but when he arrived, the NTGL
chief apparently forgot to bring along his voting card.
Irregularities cited
Reports from several ballot stations in across suggests some minor
irregularities which may affect the outcome of the votes.
A source close to the Varney Sherman camp, observing one of the polling
stations told FrontPageAfrica today that as balloting closed for the day,
most of the stations did not have electricity, thus election workers were
forced to count ballots in the dark.
At one station, an elderly lady who appeared to be unable to read or write
and had gone to cast her vote for Winston Tubman was convinced to cast her
vote for another candidate, according to a FrontPageAfrica observer at a
voting booth in Paynesville, just outside Monrovia.
Exit Polls: Runoff likely
With balloting heading into the night in Monrovia, early exit poll suggests
that the election may head to a run-off as neither 22 candidates seem poised
to garner 51 percent of the votes. A FrontPageAfrica correspondent who spoke
to voters leaving several balloting stations in Monrovia said soccer legend
George Weah appears to be garnering a lot of votes, but it is unlikely that
he would be able to get 51 percent to ensure victory in the first round of
voting. Weah is enjoying immense support in Southeastern Liberia while Unity
Party standard bearer, Ellen Sirleaf is fairing well based on results from
Nimba and Bong Counties. As expected, Charles Brumskine is picking up a lot
of votes from Bassa and Margibi as is Liberian Action Party standard bearer,
Varney Sherman.
Report was compiled from telephone and exit conversation by FrontPageAfrica
correspondents in Monrovia
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