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Liberians choosing new president in run-off vote

December 27, 2017 00:00:00


MONROVIA: Liberian voters queue up at a polling station in Monrovia on Tuesday as they prepare to cast their votes. — AFP

MONROVIA, Dec 26 (BBC): Liberians are choosing a new president in a run-off vote between Vice-President Joseph Boakai and former international footballer George Weah.

Mr Weah, 51, won the first round, but did not secure the required 50% of the vote for an outright victory.

Legal challenges delayed the vote to replace Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female president.

Liberia, which was founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power in 73 years.

Polls across Liberia opened at 08:00 GMT and will close at 18:00.

More than two million people are eligible to cast their ballots.

Mr Boakai, 73, has been Liberia's vice-president for 12 years but does not seem to enjoy the support of his boss, the BBC's Umaru Fofana reports from the capital, Monrovia.

The candidate has described himself as being like a limousine idly parked for years in a garage and who is now ready to hit the road.

Mr Weah, the former world footballer of the year, is hoping for a third time lucky.


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