Liberians to choose new leader in delayed presidential vote
Monrovia, (MILLAT ONLINE):Liberians began voting on Tuesday to select either former international footballer George Weah or Vice President Joseph Boakai as their new president, in a vote that analysts say is too close to call.
Polling stations opened at 8:00 am (0800 GMT) for the West African nation’s 2.1 million voters, and are expected to close at 6:00 pm (1800 GMT).
They will choose a successor to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is stepping down after serving 12 years as Africa’s first elected female leader.
The vote comes after seven weeks of delays caused by legal challenges against the electoral commission lodged by Boakai’s party. Results are expected in the next few days, according to the electoral commission.
Reports from early voters suggested that problems with queue control and voting ID encountered in the October 10 first round and the subject of a bitter legal battle waged by Boakai had been addressed for the run-off.
“This time everything is OK. It was very easy for me to find my voting place. Already at the entrance someone is there to direct you,” said Gabriel Peters as he cast his vote at Calvary Chapel Mission School in Monrovia, which he said had opened on time.
Malcolm Joseph, a local observer and the executive director of the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building, told AFP the country had “resolved to move ahead” with what he expected to be “a very peaceful process”.