Liberians Begins Voting in Presidential Run-off Between Weah and Boakai

Liberians
Photo credit: AFP

Liberians went to the polls on Tuesday in a closely contested presidential run-off, deciding whether to grant former football star George Weah a second term or elect political veteran Joseph Boakai.

The rivals, who faced off in 2017, are in a tight race, with Weah securing more than 61% in the previous run-off.

In the first round of voting on October 10, Weah, 57, and Boakai, 78, came roughly neck and neck on more than 43 per cent, with the incumbent taking a 7,126-vote lead.

This election marks the first since the UN ended its peacekeeping mission in Liberia in 2018, in which more than 250,000 people died in two civil wars between 1989 and 2003.

Over 2.4 million Liberians are registered to vote, with polls opening between 8:00 am (0800 GMT) and 6:00 pm (1800 GMT).

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The incumbent is popular among young Liberians but must defend a controversial record in office, while Boakai is an old hand who has held a multitude of positions in the public and private sectors.

According to Samuel Cole, one the election officials, the electoral commission has 15 days to publish the election results.
AFP