Liberians vote in tight presidential runoff election

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Liberians went to the presidential polls on Tuesday for a second-round election between incumbent President George Weah and his main rival Joseph Boakai, a former vice president, after no candidate got the 50+1% needed to win the first round.

Weah garnered 43.83% of the vote while Boakai, of the opposition Unity Party, won 43.44%, according to the final results of the Oct. 10 polls announced by the election authorities in the West African country.

On the eve of the election, an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commission congratulated the candidates, their political coalitions, and supporters for “a largely peaceful campaign” that ended last Sunday.

It added, however, that the mission had noted isolated incidents and hold-ups in some four flashpoints which led to bodily harm, injuries, and hospitalization.

The commission, which deployed 80 electoral observers in the country, called on the stakeholders to “commit to preserve peace and stability of Liberia during and after the elections.”

Former football legend Weah, who has been in office since January 2018, is seeking reelection for another six-year term on a promise to deliver more prosperity to Liberia.

Boakai rallied opposition political parties to support him “to redeem the nation from a failed administration led by President Weah.”

He promised to form a government of inclusion that truly reflects the country's political, social, and religious diversity.

In the 2017 elections, the two candidates also competed in the second round of voting after Boakai trailed Weah in the first round.

Weah, now 57, won 60% in the 2017 second-round vote.

Poling started at 8 am local time and is to end at 6 pm (0800GMT and 1800GMT) for about 2.4 million registered voters.