The West African nation of Liberia is preparing for a run-off election next month as President George Weah and his main rival, Joseph Boakai, face a close contest. In the first round of voting held on October 10, 2023, President Weah secured 43.83% of the vote, while Mr. Boakai, a former vice-president, received 43.44%. The election is considered the tightest presidential race in Liberia since the end of the civil war two decades ago.
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The run-off was anticipated, but Mr. Boakai, who is 78 years old, performed better than expected by nearly matching President Weah’s vote tally. A run-off is necessary because neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the initial round. The run-off election is scheduled for November 14, 2023, according to the head of the electoral commission, Davidetta Browne.
In the 2017 election, Mr. Boakai trailed Mr. Weah in the first round of voting and lost the run-off by a significant margin. This time, he ran under the slogan “Rescue,” accusing Mr. Weah, a 57-year-old former international football star, of leading Liberia downhill during his first term. President Weah, in response to these allegations, highlighted his administration’s achievements, including the introduction of free university tuition.
During a recent press conference, Mr. Boakai called on fellow opposition candidates to join forces to achieve a “resounding victory.” He expressed his desire to unite opposition members and Liberians in general to work towards a brighter future for the country.
Mr. Boakai served as vice-president in the government of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who became president following the end of a brutal civil war approximately two decades ago. He pledged that if elected president, he would form a government that embodies political, social, and religious diversity, creating a more inclusive administration for all citizens.
None of the other 18 candidates in the election received more than 3% of the vote. Liberia now prepares for the upcoming run-off election, which will determine the country’s future leadership.
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