Liberia Heads for Second Round of Voting in the Presidential Election

Liberia is heading for a second round of voting, in a presidential election between outgoing incumbent George Weah and opponent Joseph Boakai.

According to results published by the national electoral commission, 94 per cent of ballots were counted, Boakai, won 43.70 per cent, while Weah, who was running for a second term, gained 43.65 per cent.

The two men were well ahead of the 18 other presidential candidates in the first round of voting in the West African nation on October 10.

The figures indicate that neither Weah nor Boakai is set to secure enough votes for an absolute majority and be elected in the first round.

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS and the African Union have congratulated the Liberian government and the election commission for the organization of a peaceful vote, marked by a high participation rate.