STORY: Liberians vote in presidential elections
DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2023
LENGTH: 00:04:49
LOCATION: Monrovia
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of city views of Monrovia, Liberia
2. various of voters at the polling units
3. various of Liberians exercising their voting rights
4. various of President George Weah voting
5. various of voters
6. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CHRISTINE BAWAH, Healthcare worker
7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ROBERT JALLAH, Voter

STORYLINE:

Liberians on Tuesday went to polling centers across the country to elect a new president among 20 candidates and members of the National Assembly.

More than 2.4 million Liberians were expected to vote during the election process, according to the National Elections Commission (NEC).

Incumbent President George Weah is seeking reelection while former Vice President Joseph Boakai leading the opposition is challenging him.
   
The NEC oversees the conduct of the elections in all 15 counties of the country.
   
Tuesday's voting was scheduled to officially commence at 8 a.m. local time. A large turnout of voters was reported in most parts of the country, according to domestic and foreign observers.
   
Security patrol vehicles were seen on major roads in the capital Monrovia to ensure a smooth electoral process. Voting was also closely monitored at many polling centers by local and domestic observers.

Liberians have been expressing their desire for change in their living conditions and improvements in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The election was seen as an opportunity to bring about the transformation and development they longed for.
   
Christine Bawah, a healthcare worker, told Xinhua in an interview that she wants "the winner of this election to bring about development and peace in our nation."
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CHRISTINE BAWAH, Healthcare worker
"(The election) will help Liberia. It will help with development. It will help with our society, even with our youth, our working activities. It will help. I know that everybody will exercise their rights today and vote the best choice. If anybody wins, I expect them to look at the current situation in Liberia and help the country when it comes to health, youth development, and women's development. It will help the country."

"I am happy to be part of this process. This particular election is historic because it is the first to be conducted in our country without the presence of international security," Robert Jallah, an enthusiastic voter, told Xinhua in Monrovia.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ROBERT JALLAH, Voter
"Let there be investors. Let business go on. Let there be educational institutions opening up, offering opportunities for people to go to school and better themselves. Everything just stagnated. Everybody just stagnated. There is a need for change."

The provisional result of Tuesday's voting will be announced Thursday, according to the NEC.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Monrovia.
(XHTV)