Liberia: Presidential election sets for run-off as leading candidates remain tied

The recently conducted presidential election in Liberia will go for rerun as the two leading contestants remain tied in the keenly contested race. According to preliminary figures, the incumbent President, George Weah presently has 43.8% of the vote, while his main challenger, Joseph Boakai has 43.5%…

With nearly all ballots counted in Liberia’s election, President George Weah and his major rival Joseph Boakai remain tied, indicating a run-off to decide a winner between the two political gladiators.

According to preliminary figures, Mr Weah presently has 43.8% of the vote, while Mr Boakai has 43.5%.

To be considered the winner, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote.

Liberia’s presidential election on October 10 was the closest since the country’s civil conflict ended about twenty years ago.

Incumbent president George Weah had a slim lead of 5,456 votes in the latest election result released by the electoral commission.

The commission announced that voting will be repeated in some areas of Sinoe, Nimba, and Montserrado counties on Friday after voting materials were tampered with by some unidentified individuals.

None of the 18 other presidential contenders in the race received more than 3% in the first round, and the two main leading candidates are likely to seek their support as every vote counts in a run-off.

Weah, one of Africa’s football legends, is seeking a second term as president after a first tenure marred by serious corruption allegations.

His main opponent, Joseph Boakai, who served as vice-president in the government of then-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is hoping to return to power, this time as President.

A run-off will be held on 7 November after the announcement of official results.