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2005 Liberian general election

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2005 Liberian general election

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Presidential election
11 October 2005 (first round)
8 November 2005 (second round)
Turnout74.86% (first round)
61.04% (second round)
 
Nominee Ellen Johnson Sirleaf George Weah
Party UP CDC
Running mate Joseph Boakai Rudolph Johnson
Popular vote 478,526 327,046
Percentage 59.40% 40.60%


President before election

Gyude Bryant
LAP

Elected President

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
UP

General elections were held in Liberia on 11 October 2005, with a runoff election for the presidency held on 8 November. The presidency and all seats in the House of Representatives and Senate were up for election. The elections were the first held since 1997 and marked the end of the political transition following the second civil war, having been stipulated in the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2003. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former World Bank employee and Liberian finance minister, won the presidential contest and became the first democratically elected female African head of state in January 2006.

Background

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Frances Johnson-Morris, the chairwoman of the National Elections Commission (NEC), announced the October 11 date on February 7, 2005.[1]

Elections were scheduled for all 64 seats in the House of Representatives, with each of Liberia's 15 counties having at least two seats and the remaining seats allotted proportionally based on voter registration.[2] The Senate had 30 seats up for elections, with two from each county.

Presidential candidates

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Prior to the election, former football star George Weah was considered by many to be the favorite, due at least partially to widespread dissatisfaction with Liberia's politicians. Weah, who had been the subject of a petition published in September 2004 urging him to run,[3] announced his candidacy in mid-November 2004 and received a hero's welcome when he arrived in Monrovia later in the month.[4] Weah won the first round of voting but lost in the November 8, 2005 run-off. He initially filed formal fraud charges, but subsequently dropped his allegations, citing the interests of peace.

Excluded candidates

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The chairman of the transitional government, Gyude Bryant, and other members of the transitional government did not run, according to the terms of the peace deal.[citation needed]

On August 13, the election commission published a list of 22 presidential candidates who were cleared to run; six candidates were rejected, but Weah was cleared to stand despite complaints that he had adopted French citizenship. The Senate seats were contested by 206 candidates and the seats in the lower house were contested by 503 candidates. [1] Campaigning for the elections began on August 15.

In late September, the Supreme Court ruled that two excluded presidential candidates, Marcus Jones and Cornelius Hunter, and an excluded legislative candidate could register to run; this ruling created the possibility that the elections would have to be postponed in order to reprint ballot papers. However, these candidates later withdrew their bids, so the elections went ahead on schedule on October 11.[5]

Results

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First round presidential map showing the winners of each county

President

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Voting took place in two rounds 11 October and 8 November. Twenty-two people contested the presidential race in the first round. George Weah, former soccer star and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former World Bank employee and finance minister finished first and second, respectively and advanced to the second round run-off, which Johnson-Sirleaf won 59%-41%, according to the National Electoral Commission.

Weah claimed election fraud, stating elections officials were stuffing ballot boxes in Johnson-Sirleaf's favor. Most elections observers, including those from the United Nations, the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States, say that the election was clean and transparent. The Carter Center observed "minor irregularities" but no major problems. Johnson-Sirleaf reminded the press that Weah has 72 hours to bring evidence of wrongdoing to her campaign according to Liberian law, calling the accusations "lies" and stating that Weah's supporters "just don't want a woman to be President in Africa."[6]

On December 22, 2005, Weah withdrew his protests, and in January, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first democratically elected female Head of State in the history of the African Continent, and the first native female African head of state since Empress Zauditu, who ruled Ethiopia from 1916 to 1930.

CandidateRunning matePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Ellen Johnson SirleafJoseph BoakaiUnity Party192,32619.75478,52659.40
George WeahJ. Rudolph JohnsonCongress for Democratic Change275,26528.27327,04640.60
Charles BrumskineAmelia Angeline WardLiberty Party135,09313.87
Winston TubmanJeremiah SuluntehNational Democratic Party of Liberia89,6239.20
Varney ShermanJohn Kollehlon FaniaCoalition for the Transformation of Liberia76,4037.85
Roland MassaquoiQ. Somah Paygai Sr.National Patriotic Party40,3614.14
Joseph KortoJames Kollie Barclay Jr.Liberia Equal Rights Party31,8143.27
Alhaji G.V. KromahEmmanuel Mac Russell Sr.All Liberia Coalition Party27,1412.79
Togba-Nah TipotehMarcus S. G. DahnAlliance for Peace and Democracy22,7662.34
William V.S. Tubman Jr.Garlo Isaac WilliamsReformed United Liberia Party15,1151.55
John MorluJoseph Omaxline DemenUnited Democratic Alliance12,0681.24
Nathaniel BarnesParleh Dargbeh HarrisLiberia Destiny Party9,3250.96
Margaret Tor-ThompsonJ. Rudolph Marsh Sr.Freedom Alliance Party of Liberia8,4180.86
Joseph Woah-TeeSamuel Washington Broh I.Labor Party of Liberia5,9480.61
Sekou ConnehEdward Yarkpawolo SaliProgressive Democratic Party5,4990.56
David FarhatSaah Ciapha GbollieFree Democratic Party4,4970.46
George Klay KiehAlaric TokpaNew Deal Movement4,4760.46
Armah JallahIsaac G. Sammy Sr.National Party of Liberia3,8370.39
Robert KpotoSylvester Bondo SingbeUnion of Liberian Democrats3,8250.39
George KiadiiWashington Shadrack McGillNational Vision Party of Liberia3,6460.37
Samuel Raymond DivineJacob Gbanalagaye Mamu Sr.Independent3,1880.33
Alfred ReevesMartin Mohammed Njavola SherifNational Reformation Party3,1560.32
Total973,790100.00805,572100.00
Valid votes973,79096.16805,57297.56
Invalid/blank votes38,8833.8420,1442.44
Total votes1,012,673100.00825,716100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,352,73074.861,352,73061.04
Source: National Elections Commission

House of Representatives

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PartyVotes%Seats
Congress for Democratic Change157,75316.8715
Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia137,89714.748
Liberty Party125,49613.429
Unity Party123,37313.198
National Patriotic Party78,7518.424
Alliance for Peace and Democracy38,2854.095
New Deal Movement35,7213.823
National Democratic Party29,4023.141
National Reformation Party22,5422.411
All Liberia Coalition Party19,4712.082
Free Democratic Party19,3262.070
United Democratic Alliance13,9581.491
Progressive Democratic Party11,9971.280
Freedom Alliance Party11,1261.190
Union of Liberian Democrats10,0891.080
Labor Party of Liberia7,8110.840
Liberia Equal Rights Party7,2560.780
Reformed United Liberia Party6,2520.670
Liberia Destiny Party5,4930.590
National Vision Party of Liberia3,4430.370
National Party of Liberia1,5320.160
Independents68,3877.317
Total935,361100.0064
Valid votes935,36194.68
Invalid/blank votes52,5505.32
Total votes987,911100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,291,54176.49
Source: African Elections Database

Senate

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As no Senate existed prior to the elections, each voter was eligible to cast two ballots for different candidates. The two candidates with the highest number of votes in each county were elected. The candidate with the highest share of votes became the senior senator for the county, elected to a nine-year term. The candidate with the second-highest share became the junior senator, elected to a six-year term. This method was chosen in order to reintroduce a staggered electoral system.

PartyVotes%Seats
Congress for Democratic Change252,67714.943
Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia232,63613.767
Unity Party222,70513.174
Liberty Party213,00212.603
National Patriotic Party178,25910.543
Alliance for Peace and Democracy119,0917.043
National Democratic Party60,6683.592
All Liberia Coalition Party28,3851.681
Progressive Democratic Party17,2621.020
Reformed United Liberia Party13,2930.790
Freedom Alliance Party13,0500.770
National Reformation Party12,0370.711
United Democratic Alliance11,2650.670
Union of Liberian Democrats5,5030.330
New Deal Movement4,2640.250
Liberia Destiny Party3,4310.200
Labor Party1,6450.100
Independents301,72917.843
Total1,690,902100.0030
Registered voters/turnout1,291,541
Source: NEC

Results by county

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The following are the results for the 2005 Senate elections from the National Elections Commission.[7]

2005 Bomi County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
NDPL Lahai Gbabye Lansanah 5,403 12.2%
COTOL Richard Blamah Devine 5,198 11.7%
NPP Sando Dazoe Johnson 4,523 10.2%
UP Mohammed Aliu Massaley 4,247 9.6%
NDPL G. Aaron Sando 4,227 9.5%
LP Rebecca T. Benson 3,792 8.5%
CDC Faliku G. Sarnor 3,259 7.3%
NPP Alfred Boimah Anderson 2,997 6.7%
ALCOP Musah Balloh 2,882 6.5%
LP Samuel Njalbae Brown 2,226 5.0%
UP Amos Boima Ko-Juah 2,094 4.7%
COTOL Hajah Sheri Washington 2,012 4.5%
LDP Lincoln Vincent 867 1.9%
APD Erik Bauman Vincent 741 1.7%
Total votes 44,468 100.0
Rejected ballots 1,129
2005 Bong County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
NPP Jewel Howard-Taylor 50,452 28.4%
Independent Franklin Obed Siakor 35,422 20.0%
NPP Melee I. L. Kermue 14,742 8.3%
COTOL Ranney Banama Jackson 13,931 7.8%
CDC Molley O. K. Tokpah 10,969 6.2%
COTOL Joseph N. Cornormia 10,257 5.8%
LP Martin Fahnlon Kerkula Sr. 6,294 3.5%
UP Delores Zoe Lake 5,867 3.3%
LP Paul Mhulbah Richards 5,073 2.9%
UP Mustapha A. Kamara 4,981 2.8%
NDPL Fata S. Samuels 4,743 2.7%
CDC Olive Quita Davies 3,844 2.2%
PRODEM Lassana M. Sirleaf 3,306 1.9%
PRODEM Othello F. Dolo 2,751 1.6%
FAPL Lysander B. Wokpeh 2,736 1.5%
Independent Lasana Abraham Seesee 2,100 1.2%
Total votes 177,468 100.0
Rejected ballots 5,075
2005 Gbarpolu County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
NRP Samuel Sumo Tometie 4,693 22.2%
UP Daniel Naatehn 3,016 14.3%
Independent A. Kanie Wesso 2,230 10.6%
NPP Siafa Varney Gaindeh Konneh Sr. 2,050 9.7%
COTOL William M. Seh 1,943 9.2%
NDPL Harris Fomba Tarnue Sr. 1,626 7.7%
COTOL Isaac Freeman Mannah Sr. 1,587 7.5%
CDC Jestina V. Dukuky 1,403 6.6%
UP Joseph Jarleakai Taweh 995 4.7%
LP George Blama Kollie 814 3.9%
LP Edward Sumo Mends-Cole 770 3.6%
Total votes 21,127 100.0
Rejected ballots 266
2005 Grand Bassa County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Gbehzohngar Milton Findley 25,036 21.2%
LP Nathaniel K. Innis Sr. 20,949 17.7%
Independent John F. Whitfield Jr. 12,618 10.7%
LP Hilary Yhrakehmenn Reeves 11,454 9.7%
UP William Bill Patrick Davis 9,070 7.7%
COTOL Andrew Dehkpo Vah 7,078 6.0%
Independent Charles Jefferson Johnson 5,464 4.6%
COTOL Wesley Bonne Robinson Sr. 5,215 4.4%
CDC Julia Saturday Marshall 4,921 4.2%
CDC Lee Pennalton Reeves 4,586 3.9%
NPP Ellen Janjay Natt 4,085 3.5%
NDPL Joseph O. Lathrobe 3,321 2.8%
FAPL Nathan Alphonsus Onumah 2,909 2.5%
FAPL Matthew Alan Wolo 1,455 1.2%
Total votes 118,161 100.0
Rejected ballots 2,526
2005 Grand Cape Mount County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
NPP Abel Momolu Massalay 12,415 28.9%
NPP James Kormah Momo 6,955 16.2%
COTOL Varney Paasewe 6,738 15.7%
COTOL Rudolph Emmett Sherman 5,193 12.1%
LP Edison T. Vaanii Gbana 4,307 10.0%
CDC M. Kdaiia Gray 1,550 3.6%
CDC Jenneh M. Kamara 1,527 3.6%
NDPL J. Siafa Bondokai III 1,267 2.9%
UP Mambu George David 1,172 2.7%
LP Ma-John T. Fahnbulleh 940 2.2%
LDP Arthur Bamoley Freeman 890 2.1%
Total votes 42,954 100.0
Rejected ballots 974
2005 Grand Gedeh County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
NDPL Isaac Wehyee Nyenabo 8,331 19.6%
COTOL William Cheyety Sandy 6,537 15.4%
UP Alphonso G. Gaye 5,091 12.0%
CDC Augustine N. Saydee 4,657 11.0%
COTOL Philip Bayor Dwuye Sr. 4,105 9.7%
NDPL Seward K. Boons 4,036 9.5%
UP John N. Wallace 3,198 7.5%
CDC Amos Querty Kannah 2,773 6.5%
LP Annie Suah Dennis 2,113 5.0%
LPL Edward N. Slanger 1,645 3.9%
Total votes 42,486 100.0
Rejected ballots 558
2005 Grand Kru County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
COTOL Cletus Wotorson 3,528 16.3%
APD Blamoh Nelson 3,175 14.6%
LP J. Sawoloday Doe 2,119 9.8%
APD Amos Yonkon Bartu 2,107 9.7%
Independent Zaw-Dioh Weah 1,962 9.0%
CDC Beatrice Nimene Sherman 1,697 7.8%
COTOL Numene T. H. Bartekwa 1,681 7.7%
CDC Thompson N. Jargba 1,052 4.8%
LP Samuel E. K. Kyne 892 4.1%
NPP Thomas Nah Nimely 770 3.5%
NDM Victor E. Dweh Kaydor Sr. 743 3.4%
Independent W. Frey Augustus Bedell Sr. 679 3.1%
UP Tiahkwee Weah Johnson 441 2.0%
NDPL D. Nyandeh Sieh Sr. 424 2.0%
UP Rosalind Segbe Tonne Sneh 421 1.9%
Total votes 21,691 100.0
Rejected ballots 347
2005 Lofa County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
COTOL Sumo G. Kupee 13,325 15.4%
ALCOP Fomba Kanneh 11,096 12.8%
CDC Saa Philip Joe 7,123 8.2%
NPP Stanely Sumo Kparkillen 6,674 7.7%
LP Kollie Massayan Sorsor Sr. 6,319 7.3%
NDPL Samuel Kpehe Ngaima Sr. 5,823 6.7%
UP Fayah Joe Sahr Gbollie 5,777 6.7%
ULD Massaquoi Morlu Kamara 5,503 6.4%
UDA Frederick Sayon Gbegbe 5,117 5.9%
CDC Joseph Hinnah Farkollie 4,465 5.2%
UP Lavela Koboi Johnson 3,815 4.4%
LP Lwopu Gawee Kandakai 3,742 4.3%
NRP Alfred S. Kamara 2,697 3.1%
COTOL Phillip Saa Tali 2,228 2.6%
PRODEM Josephus M. Karbar 1,515 1.7%
APD Flomo Yanquiwolo Kokolo 1,398 1.6%
Total votes 86,617 100.0
Rejected ballots 2,054
2005 Margibi County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
LP Clarice Alpha Jah 22,726 19.1%
CDC Roland Cooper Kaine 15,215 12.8%
UP William E. Dennis 10,756 9.0%
COTOL Joe Roberts Leital 9,303 7.8%
RULP Charles D. Bennie 8,035 6.7%
NPP Sampson Bedell Fahn 7,808 6.6%
UP Joseph Jensen Bowier 7,779 6.5%
NDPL John M. Penneh 6,368 5.3%
LP Benjamin Kolo-V. Wymon 6,081 5.1%
NPP Bestus Peter Davis 5,979 5.0%
COTOL Michael S. Mulbah Sr. 5,085 4.3%
CDC A. Sylvester Garwon 4,835 4.1%
NRP Mohamed Taqii Kromah 2,580 2.2%
APD Abraham B. Y. Jusu Garneo 2,386 2.0%
RULP Clarence Benjamin Townsend 2,158 1.8%
NRP James Adof Neblett 2,067 1.7%
Total votes 119,161 100.0
Rejected ballots 2,673
2005 Maryland County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
UP John Akel Ballout Jr. 7,147 15.0%
UP Gloria Maya Musu-Scott 6,933 14.6%
LP Paul R. Jeffy 4,479 9.4%
APD Mason Chumue Goe 4,432 9.3%
NDPL Anthony S. Wloflo Bedell 4,102 8.6%
CDC E. Danny Neufville 3,871 8.1%
LP James Lamark Cox Sr. 3,386 7.1%
NDPL Robert Alexandeer Brewer Jr. 3,106 6.5%
COTOL Wilfred Ernest Clark 2,787 5.9%
CDC Eric Deiojue Kitue Folee 2,241 4.7%
COTOL Willie Dalleh Ragland 2,083 4.4%
APD Theodosia Minikon Clark-Wah 1,437 3.0%
RULP Alexander Mcknight Hutchins 941 2.0%
NPP J. Kla Toomey 603 1.3%
Total votes 47,548 100.0
Rejected ballots 1,003
2005 Montserrado County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
CDC Joyce Musu Freeman 86,008 13.3%
CDC Hannah G. Brent 80,331 12.4%
UP Clemenceau Blayon Urey 70,137 10.8%
APD Wilson Kargeor Tarpeh 67,913 10.5%
Independent Josephine M. George Francis 60,084 9.3%
LP Kadie Sannor Kamara 41,964 6.5%
COTOL Nathaniel Reginald Richardson 41,879 6.5%
LP Ola Walker Jallah 38,524 5.9%
UP Roland Kollie Woheel Sr. 37,599 5.8%
Independent Ruth Gibson Caesar 20,261 3.1%
Independent Losene F. Bility 19,225 3.0%
NPP Jessie S. Payne Sr. 18,916 2.9%
COTOL Rudolph Travers 15,863 2.4%
ALCOP Chemon Feson Jackitay 14,407 2.2%
NPP Bob D. Taylor 14,021 2.2%
PRODEM Amara M. Kromah 9,214 1.4%
FAPL Daniel Success Seakor 5,717 0.9%
NDPL Charles Max Kumeh 5,508 0.9%
Total votes 647,571 100.0
Rejected ballots 10,438
2005 Nimba County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Prince Johnson 81,820 33.8%
COTOL Saye-Taayor Adolphus Dolo 42,229 17.4%
Independent Evans Vaye Koah 34,828 14.4%
APD Cooper W. Kruah Sr. 15,647 6.5%
UP Nyah Mantein 13,475 5.6%
NPP Harrison Dologbean Luo 13,070 5.4%
LP Josephus Saye Dokie 7,960 3.3%
NPP Prince B. Myers 7,198 3.0%
LP Mac Sonkarley Noah 6,553 2.7%
COTOL Emma Kou Wuor 6,355 2.6%
UP Harry Targehn Yuan Sr. 4,958 2.0%
UDA Benedict Zuah Bartuah 2,883 1.2%
UDA Ansumana Fassu Kromah 2,233 0.9%
RULP Mary Siaway Dogolea 2,159 0.9%
NDPL Peter S. T. Senneh 991 0.4%
Total votes 242,359 100.0
Rejected ballots 2,879
2005 Rivercess County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
UP Jay Jonathan Banney 4,378 21.2%
LP George Dee Moore 2,983 14.4%
NDM Arthur D. K. Sawmadal 2,655 12.8%
LP Francis Saturday Paye 2,199 10.6%
CDC Davidson Tompo Monweh Sr. 1,790 8.7%
UP Francis B. S. Johnson 1,480 7.2%
CDC Uriah Glaybo 1,195 5.8%
APD James G. Baryoegar 1,095 5.3%
COTOL Jasper Morris Ben 1,019 4.9%
NDM Dorr Henry Sobeor 866 4.2%
COTOL Roberto Gbegba Dole 643 3.1%
NPP Moses Jududoes Pearson 370 1.8%
Total votes 20,673 100.0
Rejected ballots 560
2005 River Gee County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
COTOL Frederick Doe Cherue 7,490 26.9%
COTOL Isaac Nyenekartoe Johnson 2,992 10.7%
UP Conmany Wesseh 2,856 10.3%
NPP A. Nyenpan Saytue Sr. 2,149 7.7%
CDC Nathan Victor Morlee 2,022 7.3%
APD Benjamin Belju-Wleh Jlah Sr. 1,689 6.1%
LDP Nathaniel J. Williams 1,674 6.0%
LP Christian Snorteh Chea 1,463 5.3%
UP Anthony W. C. Slobert Sr. 1,424 5.1%
NDPL Samuel C. F. Johnson 1,392 5.0%
LP Clara A. Dalmeida 1,092 3.9%
UDA Chea Cheapoo Sr. 1,032 3.7%
CDC Regina Saytue Vinton 339 1.2%
FAPL G. Saygbegee Davis Sr. 233 0.8%
Total votes 27,847 100.0
Rejected ballots 351
2005 Sinoe County Senatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
APD Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan 9,165 29.8%
APD Joseph Nyenetue Nagbe 7,906 25.7%
COTOL Nathaniel Sniweah Bartee 4,352 14.1%
UP Charles Amstard Clarke 3,598 11.7%
NPP Harrison Nimleh Slewon Sr. 2,482 8.1%
LP Julius Blamo Doe 1,129 3.7%
CDC Stephen Sloh Sarploh 1,004 3.3%
LP Emma G. Turplue 659 2.1%
PRODEM Myrtle Francelle Gibson 476 1.5%
Total votes 30,771 100.0
Rejected ballots 373

References

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  1. ^ "Liberia to hold elections October 11", Agence France-Presse (AFP), February 7, 2005.
  2. ^ "Liberia electoral reform bill signed into law", AFP, December 17, 2004.
  3. ^ "Football legend George Weah urged to stand for Liberian presidency", AFP, October 3, 2004.
  4. ^ Terence Sesay, "Presidential candidate Weah takes Monrovia by storm", Deutsche Presse-Agentur, November 24, 2004.
  5. ^ "Two Liberian candidates stand down to prevent delay of election", Deutsche Presse-Agentur, October 6, 2005.
  6. ^ Liberia set for first woman president Al Jazeera, 10 November 2015
  7. ^ "2005 Election Results". National Elections Commission. 2005. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
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General information

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Candidates

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Articles

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