What appeared to be a negative sign to the peace and stability of Liberia is gradually creeping in as both the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change and the main opposition Unity Party claimed victory in the Tuesday’s October 10 polls.

Western observers have so far described the process as very peaceful, calling on Liberians to wait for the official release of the results by the National Elections Commission.

However, despite the appeal, the Secretary General of the ruling CDC—Jefferson Koijee and other party executives claimed they’d won the election.

“We want to salute the Liberians for their commitment to reelecting the president for the second term. From where I sit, and what we have, clearly suggests that these elections were a testament that the Liberian people are not ungrateful,” he said during a news conference.

As though not enough, several party’s officials have begun commanding the Liberian leader for reportedly winning the elections using their social media pages—Facebook.

In a counterclaim, the Party Chairman of the main opposition—Luther Tarpeh addressing a news conference Thursday also claimed they have won the polls.

He alleged that unofficial data collected from their party’s representatives clearly shows that Joseph Boakai won the elections.

Warning

The National Election Commission is warning against early celebration as the results announced do not constitute 1% of the total polling centers across the country.

The Chairperson of the Commission Davidetta Brown-Lansanah warned politicians and their supporters to desist from celebrating and await the official pronouncement from the commission.

“We say to all Liberians that they should be patient, and they should listen to the National Elections omission to announce the official results. Those people you saw celebrating on the streets, I advise them to wait! Because whatever results they have; those results are not the official results,” she said during a press conference.

Toxic campaign

For the first time in the country’s political history, about seven lives were lost and over 40 injuries recorded due to clashes between rival political parties and other political campaign activities [accident and stampede].

The police have also documented electoral violence in Nimba, Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount counties since the start of political campaigning activities.

Tension

The claims and counterclaims from the two sides now put fear in the minds of ordinary Liberians about the peace of the country.

Many believe that the comments are high risk of inciting post electoral violence; hence they want President Weah and former Vice President Bokai to calm their supporters.