George Weah Takes Early Lead in Liberia Presidential Election Count

MONROVIA (Capital Markets in Africa) Former A.C. Milan soccer star George Weah and Vice President Joseph Boakai lead in Liberia’s presidential election as the electoral commission released provisional results of the October 10 vote.

Weah won 39 percent of the vote, while Boakai got 31 percent, with about 548,000 ballots counted, Jerome Korkoya, chairman of the National Elections Commission, told reporters on Friday. The commission didn’t say how many of the 2.2 million registered voters took part in the poll.

A run-off vote will be scheduled in November if none of the 20 candidates garners a 50 percent majority.

Liberians are choosing a new leader as President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf steps down after 12 years in office. While regional observers said the election was conducted fairly and mostly peacefully, the party of candidate Charles Brumskine issued a statement complaining of irregularities.

Observers from the Economic Community of West African States on Thursday urged the electoral commission to speed up the release of provisional results to “prevent further anxiety,” according to a statement read to reporters.

The election in the West African nation could see Liberia transfer power from one elected president to another for the first time in more than half a century. As many as 986 contestants vied for 73 seats in the House of Representatives.

The NEC will announce the final results on Oct. 25.

Source: Bloomberg Business News