Liberia election results delayed

Liberia’s election results were delayed on Wednesday by hitches at a number of polling stations, with Vice President Joseph Boakai and footballer George Weah seen as the frontrunners to succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) is expected to announce the first official results from the presidential and legislative elections on Thursday.

If no candidate wins 50 percent of the presidential vote, a run-off between the top two contenders will be held on November 7, an outcome analysts say is a near certainty.

Turnout for Liberia’s first democratic transfer of power in seven decades was exceptionally high, the electoral panel has suggested. It admitted that staff at polling stations had in some cases caused long waits for voters and widespread confusion, and many closed as late as 3 am, triggering the delay.

UCJ, UNILORIN.