Liberia’s presidential election is heading for a run-off vote in November. The decision was announced by Liberia’s electoral commission on Tuesday after results revealed that the two leading candidates, incumbent President George Weah and opposition leader Joseph Boakai, failed to secure a majority.
George Weah currently holds a slender lead with 43.83% of the vote, while Joseph Boakai is not far behind with 43.44%, as reported by the election commission after tallying results from all polling places in the West African nation.
Commission chairperson, Davidetta Browne Lansanah disclosed that the run-off election is scheduled for November 14, giving both candidates additional time to gain support and secure their victory. A noteworthy 78.86% of approximately 2.4 million registered voters turned out for the initial election on October 10, demonstrating a strong commitment to shaping Liberia’s future.
The October election has been viewed as a pivotal test of support for George Weah, a former soccer star, who faced criticism during his first term from the opposition and international partners for not taking sufficient action against corruption. On his campaign trail, President Weah appealed for more time to fulfill his promise of rejuvenating the nation’s economy, strengthening institutions, and improving infrastructure. He particularly highlighted his plans to expand the network of roads if reelected.
Liberia continues to grapple with the aftermath of two devastating civil wars, which claimed the lives of over 250,000 people between 1989 and 2003. Furthermore, the country faced a severe Ebola epidemic from 2013 to 2016, causing thousands of casualties.
Joseph Boakai, at the age of 78, emerged as President Weah’s primary contender. He campaigned on the need to rescue Liberia from what he alleged was mismanagement by Weah’s administration, setting the stage for a crucial run-off election that will ultimately determine the country’s next leader and the path forward for this post-conflict nation.
