Senate elections in Liberia to begin
Liberian midterm senate elections will be held today. A total of 118 candidates will contest seats in the country’s upper legislative chamber.
The current ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is challenged by the Collaborating Opposition Political Parties (CPP). Government corruption and transparency are major political issues this election due to numerous scandals over the past two years. The incumbent Weah administration announced international assistance in monitoring election results to combat charges of voter irregularities and executive corruption, while the opposition has simply called for continued fair elections and increased transparency.
The CPP is expected to provide a stiff challenge to the current administration, yet it is questionable as to whether they can present the united front necessary for victory. However, the CDC has struggled to energise its base, and the opposition has gained ground in several major counties.
Should the CPP win, it is likely the coalition will pass laws increasing executive oversight by legislative councils, but resistance from 2023 presidential hopefuls within the CPP may leave oversight bodies powerless. Infighting between disparate coalition members prevents political stances from forming beyond blanket opposition to the CDC, and the CPP could easily split if rigorous anti-corruption laws are pushed forward.
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