Election in Maryland: The Fact of the Matter – Anderson & Morias

Voting for Election 2011 began on Tuesday, October 11 in Liberia. All candidates placed their popularity, programs and everything else before the people for consideration. It all happened around 8am to 6pm Liberia Standard Time.


Since I am now situated in Maryland County, I will only delve into the Maryland situation as I see it.

Notice, I have been in Maryland County for closed to two years. I have been engaged in advocacy work. This sort of work takes me throughout the entire county.

As a result of my work in all parts of the County, I have nothing but full knowledge of all the political and socioeconomic issues facing the entire county. As such, when I speak on the issues, I do so with complete authority.

Initially, I opined an article. it sits comfortably on my blog t(homasbedell@blogspot.com)t. I said the candidates in the race in Maryland were too many for any level of comfort. And that because of the astronomical number of the cadidates, it would create a political plume. I was right.

During this Election, we had seven (7) senatorial candidates including Gloria Scott (the incumbent). Amongst them all, ONLY two have emerged as a serious factor. The two are, James Norman Anderson (Jimmy) and H. Dan Morais. Both men have been at each other’s neck from the beginning to this very moment as far as campaigning s concerned.

From the outset, H. Dan Morais was imprisoned. So Jimmy engaged the trail and began to send his message asking for support from the people. Prior to going to prison, Morais sent his message and looked forward to running for the office of Junior Senator. All things considered, Morais went to prison and somehow returned back to regular society. He didn't rest. He jumped into the race.

When Morais returned from prison he met the following individuals as company in the senatorial race: Jimmy Anderson, Gloria Scott (incumbent), Mason Goe (ran in 2005 unsuccessfully), Anthony Bedell (ran 2005 unsuccessfully), Abraham Jackson (newcomer) and Biney Brown (newcomer).

By the time the the voting began, all of the candidates besides Jimmy and Morais became the fell out of visiblity.

Out of 131 Polling Centers in Maryland, ONLY two have been tallied and reported to the National Election Commission (NEC).

At the end of the voting, Morais took the lead. But his lead ONLY surfaced in central Pleebo and its immediate vicinity. His additional votes votes giving to his ead showed up in Central Harper and its immediate vicinity. But as the Ballot Boxes are collected from the various Centres, around the County is being completed, report shows Jimmy has gained significant ground. Most, if not all of his support, is coming from the Hinterland (Barrobo and Karluway).

Indicators show that Jimmy, Gloria and Mason Goe are the ONLY visible candidates in the Hinterland. Morais is nowhere around the Hinterland.

All things considered, if the final ballot counting were done today, Morias will not stand a ground. Only his votes within central Pleebo and Harper will remain with him.

Jimmy’s votes he gained in the same areas where Morais has gained good grounds, will stand because they remain on his side. Add these votes to the ones coming from the Hinterland for Jimmy and he will lead the chart.

That’s the fact on the ground!

Jimmy’s winning strength lies in the Hinterland. Morais’ strength has been exhausted in central Pleebo and Harper. Nothing else is expected of him. All expectations as far as votes are concerned are for Jimmy, Mason Goe and Gloria Scott.

Gloria Scott is not a factor in this Election. She is out! The only substantial votes she has comes from the Hnterlaand. And that's not enough.

As for Mason Goe, the same applies to him: he’s out. All his votes are from his hometown - Barrobo. And tha's insuffucient.

Morais has done extremely well through his initial lead. But considering the votes emerging from the Hinterland, his chances of moving any further is as slim as going to Heaven through the eye of the needle.

All the chances are for Jimmy.

I am Thomas G. Bedell speaking and working on the ground in Liberia.