STORY: Liberia to extend voting in southern counties due to challenges
DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:30
LOCATION: Monrovia
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of streets of Monrovia
2. various of the Liberian citizens voting
3. various of the press conference by the National Election Commission (NEC)
4. SOUNDBITE (English): DAVIDETTA LANSANAH, Head of the National Election Commission

STORYLINE:

Liberia's election body said Tuesday it is extending the voting for president and members of the national legislature in some counties in the southern part of the country where electoral materials and personnel had a delay in reaching.

Davidetta Lansanah, head of the National Elections Commission (NEC), said while addressing a daily press briefing in the nation's capital Monrovia that at least 11 precincts in the southeastern county of Sinoe and the south-central county of Rivercess were affected by the voting extension caused by overflowing of rivers due to heavy rainfall in those parts of the country.

SOUNDBITE (English): DAVIDETTA LANSANAH, Head of the National Election Commission
"All efforts by the NEC staff to cross the river from both sides have been futile so far. Also, the truck carrying election materials to District One in Sinoe County got stuck in the mud in the Butlaw area due to heavy downpour of rain and bad road. Due to the situation, the commission will extend the voting time in those areas."

According to Lansanah, the Planson River in Sinoe County, which is located on the outskirts of Greenville city, overflowed its banks and crossed the main road leading to most of the centers in at least two districts. This development affected the conveying of electoral materials and personnel to the affected areas, as well as the conduct of polls, on Tuesday.

In Rivercess County, the Timbo River overflowed its banks and the NEC vehicles with election materials were unable to cross, and there was a late start of voting in some areas as the vehicles arrived at their destinations late after the water had receded, the official said.

More than 2.4 million Liberians were expected to vote during the general election on Tuesday, according to NEC, which oversees the conduct of elections in all 15 counties of the country. Incumbent President George Weah is seeking reelection while former Vice President Joseph Boakai leading the opposition is challenging him.

Lansanah said despite the challenges recorded, the polls had "generally progressed well throughout the day across the country."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Monrovia.
(XHTV)