[3] No candidate won a majority in the first round, with Weah narrowly placing first over opposition leader Joseph Boakai, which meant both advanced to a runoff held on 14 November 2023.
[12][13] Additionally, ECOWAS reported that the election has sharply divided the population and urged for maturity from political leaders and a peaceful transfer of power.
[16][17] Boakai, meanwhile, focused on the corruption scandals and youth unemployment vowing to save Liberia from "Weah's failed leadership" all while attempting to keep his age of 78 out of political discussions.
ECOWAS's Head of Election Mission Liberia, Attahiru Jega, praised the electorate for their orderliness and decorum in casting votes.
[35] Additionally, the West African Elders Forum Mission to Liberia and the Angie Brooks International Center also called for calm denouncing premature victory claims and urging against political violence.
[36][37] By 17 November, the vast majority of the run-off election ballots had been counted, suggesting Weah had lost re-election by a slim margin and that Boakai had won.
[39] No candidate won a majority in the first round, with Weah narrowly placing first over opposition leader Joseph Boakai, which meant both advanced to a runoff held on 14 November 2023.
[6][7] President-elect Boakai in his victory speech promised to form a government of inclusion that reflects the political, social and religious diversity of the citizens.
[43] As crowds gathered at the Unity Party headquarters in Monrovia to celebrate Boakai's victory on 20 November, they were rammed by a jeep without license plates, killing three people and injuring 17.
EU observers concluded political freedoms of candidates and supporters were largely respected, but the use of state resources by the ruling party distorted the level playing field.
[8] ECOWAS also congratulated all stakeholders on the "largely" peaceful elections, although it noted isolated incidents in the counties of Lofa, Nimba, Bong and Montserrado, which resulted in "injuries and hospitalisation".