The opposition candidate, Joseph Boakai, is poised for victory in the ongoing Liberian presidential election, according to the latest results released by the electoral commission on Friday.
The outcome reflects a shift as Liberians voted against incumbent President George Weah, also the candidate of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), in this landmark election.
At 78 years old, Joseph Boakai, a seasoned political veteran, secures 50.89% of the votes, while President George Weah trails with 49.11%.
This margin, exceeding 28,000 votes, emerges with nearly all ballots counted, triggering jubilation in the capital, Monrovia.
Supporters of Boakai have gathered at his party’s headquarters in Monrovia, expressing confidence in his imminent victory.
Chants calling for President Weah to step down resonate, accompanied by references to a campaign-associated song, “we beat the Buga dancer.”
While there have been no formal statements from either candidate, the electoral commission reports results from 99.58% of polling stations.
A re-run of voting at one station and investigations into discrepancies in results from 20 others add a layer of scrutiny to the electoral process, as stated by National Elections Commission chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah.
This election marks Liberia’s fourth since the end of its civil war, and the outcome signals a notable departure from traditional political norms.
A Nigerian resident in Liberia praised the nation’s voters for revolutionizing the political landscape, emphasizing the power of the people in shaping leadership decisions.
The election has sparked reflections on the potential for citizens in other African nations, including Nigeria, to similarly influence their political landscapes through the ballot box.
