Liberians have gone to the polls in the final stage of an historic election to replace Africa’s first elected female head of state.



Voters lined up to choose between George Weah, the former football star and serving senator, and Joseph Boakai, the current vice-president of the country founded by freed American slaves.

On her way out is the Nobel peace prizewinner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who leaves after two terms in which she was credited with bringing the country together after two civil wars, but which was blighted by the deadly Ebola outbreak and allegations of nepotism and corruption.

After a first round in October, the runoff was delayed twice after allegations of voting fraud and irregularities.

“This is a great day because it is a test of democracy,” Boakai told the Associated Press after voting. “We have delayed, we’ve gone through the court process, this is what the process has produced and we are prepared to live with it.”

Weah also spoke after casting his vote. “This is a good process, and a very peaceful one, which is the most important,” he said. “We subscribe to a peaceful and free and fair election, so we know the process will be transparent. It’s what we hope for.”

Monrovia, the capital, was quiet, and observers across the country said turnout seemed lower than in October, with many blaming the date. Liberia is a majority Christian country so much of the population had been celebrating Christmas. Results are expected later in the week.

“It is slow but people are voting. It is not like the 10 October polls,” said Artherline Kolo, a presiding officer at the GW Gibson voting centre.

The lower turnout, along with a reportedly older demographic coming out to vote, had its advantages, she pointed out. “There is no noise. Voters are cooperating, they are not insulting like in October.”

Mama Jallah, a 73-year-old who last witnessed a democratic transfer of power in her country when she was one-year-old, was accompanied by her granddaughter to cast her vote.

“I am voting for my country. I want to leave behind a better Liberia. As it is now, the suffering is too much,” Jallah said.

Jallah is unusual for her age in Liberia, a country where over 60% of people are under 25.

Victor Gweh, 35, said he was voting out of a sense of duty to his country.

“I voted because I believe participating in this election means supporting democracy and building Liberia,” he said.



