The National Elections Commission (NEC) credited by the Liberian Government and Liberia’s partners to conduct the ensuing October 11 Presidential and Legislative Elections has qualified 762 candidates, while at the same time the commission has rejected the applications of 17 aspirants, thus denying them participation in the electoral exercises.

The 762 successful candidates were among 779 aspirants nominated by their various political parties, alliance, coalition and independent groupings to contest various political seats in the General Elections, which takes place in 57 days time across the 15 political sub-divisions of Liberia.

A statistical break down show that out of the 762 qualified candidates, 22 have been cleared to vie for the presidency, while additional 22 persons have received NEC’s blessings to contest for the office of the Vice President.

Besides, 206 are qualified to contest the 30 seats in the Liberian senate, while 512 candidates are expected to complete for the 64 seats in the House of Representatives, while among the 17 aspirants, five are presidential aspirants, three vice presidential aspirants and nine aspirants for the House of Representatives, with no one being disqualified for the Upper House-Senate.

Those threw out of the race, according to NEC, failed to meet up with the requirements set by the commission but it not yet known if those dejected will seek redress at the Supreme Court.

The five disqualified for the president are Cllr. Marcus Roland Jones, Victory for Change Independent Candidate and current president of the Liberian Bar Association. The list also includes Mr. Isaac Flowers, Rev. James Molly Bainba, Mr. Cornelius Hunter, Public Relations Manager of LPRC; and Mr. D. Garkpe Gedepoh. The five are all independent candidates. Rev. Hannaniah Zoe nomination was rejected by NEC, thus prompted him to leave the country for the United States.

Others disqualified for the office of the Vice President including the former president of ULAA, Mr. Mohammed Kromah, Managing director of the Liberia Free Zone Authority and vice running mate to Cllr. Jones; Madam Cecelia Teah and Mr. Joseph Karngar Roberts, all are independent candidates.

Among those rejected for the House of representative include The S. Richard, Isaac M. Johnson, Johnson A . Mentee Gweh, Sr. and Augustine B. Wheaton, all independent candidates.

According to NEC, some of the disqualified candidates list from the 12 countries did not have at least 50 registered voters, while some did not submit nomination application within the period and for ULAA former president. Mr. Kromah, he submitted invalid petition lists.

While among those qualified and undaunted in their chase for the Liberian Presidency include Cllr. Winston Tubman,(NDPL); Rev. William V. S. Tubman, Jr. (NFA); Dr. Roland Massaquoi, (NPP); Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,(UP); Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine,( Liberty Party); Cllr. Varney Sherman,( COTOL); George Weah, Dr. Togba Nah-Tipoteh, Samuel Raymond Divine, Dr. George Klay Kieh, Cornelius Hunter, David Farhat, Dr. Robert Kpoto, Dr. Joseph Korto, Bishop Alfred Reeves and Alhaji G. V. Kromah, among others.

According to the break down of nomination for the House of senate, Bomi registered 14, Bong, 16, Gbarpolu, 11, Grand Bassa, 14; Grand Cape Mount, 11; Grand Gedeh, 10; and Grand Kru, 15.

Others are Lofa, 16; Margibi, 16; Maryland, 14; Montserrado, 18; Nimba, 16; river Cess, 12; River Gee, 14; and Sinoe, 9, respectively.

For the House of representative, Bomi, 28; Bong 47, Gbarpolu, 21, Grand Bassa,36; Grand Cape Mount, 28; Grand Gedeh, 19; and Grand Kru, 14.

Others are Lofa, 30; Margibi, 32; Maryland, 18; Montserrado, 138; Nimba, 48; River Cess, 15; River Gee, 16; and Sinoe, 31, respectively.

The Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia (COTOL) of Cllr. Varney Sherman, according to the statistical breakdown, registered the highest number of applicants, with the total of 94 (12%) candidates, followed by Liberty Party (LP) of Cllr. Charles Walkers Brumskine, 93( 12%); Unity Party of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, 89(11%); the National Patriotic Party (NPP) of Dr. Randall Massaquoi, 72 (9%) candidates; National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL) of Cllr. Winston Tubman, 46(6%) while the Independent candidates nominated 51 (7%)persons.

The New DEAL registered 26( 3%), National Reformation Party (NRP), 72(9%); All Liberians Coalition Party (ALCOP) of Mr. Alhaji G. V. Kromah, 18 (2%) candidates; the Free Democratic Party ( FDP), 14 (2%); while the Union of Liberia Democrats, 12 (2%) ; Progressive Democratic Party,19 (2%); Labor Party, 12 (2%); Liberia Equal Rights Party, 6 (1%); National Party of Liberia of Mr. Armah Jallah, 3 (0%); and the Reformed United Liberian Party 14 (2%).

Others are Equal Rights Party of Medical Doctor Robert Kpoto, 6 (1%); National Vision Party of Liberia, 4 (1%); Labor Party of Liberia of Mr. John Morlu, 12 (2%); Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) of amb. George Weah, 85 (11%); and Alliance for Peace and Democracy (APD) of Dr. Togba Nah-Tipoteh, 39 (5%), respectively.

Meanwhile, some of the candidates include those affected by the United Nations sanctions owing to their alleged connections with former President Charles Taylor who have been accused of attachment in the domestic politics of Liberia.
"As of the morning of 2 August, only 11 candidates had submitted their nominations: one for President, four for Senate, and six for House of Representatives. The nomination process opened on 21 July and closes on 6 August

The political campaign is scheduled to begin on 15 August and polling day is 11 October. The voter will cast three ballots of different colors, one for President and Vice President, one for members of the Senate and one for members of the House of Representatives while counting will begin at the polling places after the voting ends on 11 October and by law the National Elections Commission (NEC) would release the results within the period of 15 days time