By mid November 2008, River Gee County Senator Isaac Nyenekarto Johnson of the Liberian Action Party (LAP) died.
[6] By September, Francis Chu-Chu Horton was petitioned by the National Democratic Party of Liberia to run for the office, but he rejected the offer.
The two candidates in the running to be nominated were Clemenceau B. Urey of the UP, an insurance businessman who defeated George Kilando in the UP primary, and Meima Sirleaf Karneh of the LUP, assistant commerce minister.
By late October, the former ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) announced its endorsement of Doe-Sheriff.
[10] Clemenceau Urey and Doe-Sheriff, along with the Liberty Party's (LP) Abraham Darius Dillon, were considered the election's front-runners.
The independent candidates were Daniel G. Johnson, Grace Tee McGill Kpaan, Nathaniel Semoda Toe Jr., Jacqueline Maulyne Capehart, and Alhaji G.V.
[6][12] Two groups, the New Deal Movement and the National Students Intellectual Council Of Liberia, filed separate objections in regard to the candidacy of Kromah.
Both objected on the grounds that he was an individual reported to have committed crimes against humanity in the civil war by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
It was marred by irregularities and mistakes by the NEC which garnered them criticism, including by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
[17] By November 12, NEC Chairman James Fromayan claimed that he had received threats on his life from members of the CDC.
CDC leader George Weah maintained that there had been cheating in the 2005 general election that cost him and his party the presidency.
By November 19, he had announced that the NEC was working with a group known as the Liberia Crusaders for Peace in an attempt spread civic education in hopes of increasing voter turnout for the second round of the election.
During the certification ceremony, NEC Chairman Fromayan repeated claims that he had been threatened by CDC members.