When discussing rigged elections, many instances of electoral manipulation throughout history come to mind. However, few cases compare to the outright absurdity of Liberia’s 1927 presidential election, which holds the infamous Guinness World Record for the most fraudulent election ever recorded.
This was not merely a case of minor irregularities or contested results—it was a massive, blatant rigging of the democratic process, with figures that defied all logic and reality. With only 15,000 registered voters, incumbent President Charles D. B. King miraculously “won” with a staggering 234,000 votes—over 15 times the actual electorate size.
The Political Landscape in Liberia
Liberia, founded in the early 19th century by freed African American slaves, had a complex political structure dominated by the Americo-Liberian elite, who ruled over the indigenous African majority. The True Whig Party, which represented the interests of the Americo-Liberians, had held power for decades, operating a political system that excluded the indigenous population from meaningful participation.
By the time of the 1927 election, Liberia was deeply divided, and political corruption had reached unprecedented levels. Charles D. B. King, a staunch member of the ruling elite, was seeking his third term as president, and he was determined to secure it by any means necessary.
His opponent, Thomas J. Faulkner, ran on an anti-corruption platform, representing a growing movement that sought to challenge the entrenched rule of the True Whig Party. However, King and his government ensured that the election was nothing more than a farce.
How the Election Was Rigged
The 1927 Liberian presidential election was manipulated in almost every conceivable way.
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Impossible Vote Counts – The country had just 15,000 registered voters, yet Charles D. B. King was declared the winner with 234,000 votes—a numerical impossibility. Meanwhile, his opponent, Faulkner, was credited with a mere 9,000 votes, despite having a strong base of support.
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Ballot Stuffing & Fabricated Voters – The King’s administration manufactured hundreds of thousands of fake ballots to inflate his numbers. Reports suggest that entire villages and towns had their votes “counted” without any actual participation from the people.
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Intimidation and Suppression – Opposition supporters faced widespread intimidation, harassment, and violence. Voting was tightly controlled by King’s government, making it nearly impossible for genuine opposition votes to be cast or counted fairly.
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Bribery & Coercion – Traditional chiefs and local leaders were bribed or coerced into declaring their support for King, ensuring that votes from their regions overwhelmingly went in his favor.
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Foreign Pressure Ignored – International observers raised concerns about the integrity of the election, but Liberia’s ruling elite dismissed these allegations and continued to consolidate power.
Aftermath & Consequences
Despite the international embarrassment caused by the fraudulent election, Charles D. B. King remained in power for several more years. However, the blatant fraud in the 1927 election led to greater scrutiny of his administration, eventually culminating in his forced resignation in 1930 amid a forced labor and slavery scandal.
The League of Nations (predecessor to the United Nations) launched an investigation into Liberia’s government and found extensive corruption, forced labor practices, and abuse of power—further cementing King’s presidency as one of the most corrupt in history.
The election also tarnished Liberia’s reputation for decades, serving as a case study of how elections can be manipulated when a ruling party faces no accountability.
Why It Still Matters Today
The 1927 Liberian election remains one of the most extreme examples of electoral fraud ever recorded, but its lessons are still relevant today.
- It underscores the importance of free and fair elections, as unchecked power can lead to massive corruption and authoritarian rule.
- It highlights how rigged elections often lead to long-term instability, as King’s fraudulent victory was followed by political turmoil and international intervention.
- It serves as a warning of what can happen when a ruling elite prioritizes power over democracy, disenfranchising large segments of the population.
Even in the 21st century, issues like election rigging, voter suppression, and political corruption still persist in many countries, making the lessons from Liberia’s 1927 election more important than ever.
Final Thoughts
Liberia’s 1927 presidential election was not just an example of electoral fraud—it was an outright mockery of democracy. With more votes than actual voters, state-sponsored intimidation, and international condemnation, it serves as a historical reminder of the dangers of authoritarian rule disguised as democracy.
While Charles D. B. King may have “won” the most fraudulent election in history, his legacy remains one of corruption, scandal, and infamy.
This election is a testament to the importance of accountability, transparency, and the vigilance required to uphold true democracy—values that are still crucial in the modern world.