Liberians voted in the
country's second post-war elections yesterday in which incumbent president Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf was seeking a second term only days after jointly winning the
Nobel Peace Prize.
National elections Chief James Fromayan praised a peaceful day of voting, saying
the country had reached "a new dimension where the Liberian people chose the
ballot box over the barrel of a gun."
Counting was underway, and provisional results were expected tomorrow at 4pm in
the presidential, senatorial and legislative elections, held under the watchful
eye of UN soldiers and observers. An impressive turnout from some 1.8 million
eligible voters was expected as hundreds were seen lining up under the blazing
sun in some parts of the country, and thunderous rainfall in the capital.
Sirleaf's government has brought electricity and running water to some parts of the capital, and rebuilt roads
Voting was slow in some places
as some had to be educated on how to cast their vote. In one polling station an
AFP correspondent witnessed fellow voters assisting each other.
African Union observer mission chief Speciosa Wangira-Kazibwe, said voting had
proceeded "very well". She said the turnout "puts a big challenge on the leaders
that are being elected today. When you look in the eyes of these Liberians they
are saying we are giving you our vote, and you will lead us to prosperity".
UN chief Ban Ki Moon welcomed "the smooth holding of the presidential and
legislative elections in Liberia".
"He commends the people of Liberia for exercising their right to vote in a calm
and peaceful manner," said his spokesperson. "This election is an important
milestone in the efforts to consolidate peace and democracy in the country."
"The Secretary-General calls on the people of Liberia and all parties and
candidates to preserve the existing peaceful atmosphere as the tallying of votes
gets underway.
"He also reaffirms the continued commitment of the United Nations to support the
consolidation of peace and reconstruction of Liberia." The election, the second
since the end of a savage 14-year war, is seen as a test for the west African
nation's fragile democracy, and a referendum on Sirleaf's rule, since she became
Africa's first elected female president in 2005.
The 72-year-old grandmother, dressed in jeans and wearing a cap, waited in line
for half an hour in the oppressive heat in her home village Fee Fee Town about
60 kilometres (40 miles) outside Monrovia, before being fast-tracked to the
elderly queue. "I'm very pleased to see the manner in which the Liberian people
are voting, they've come out in numbers - they are very disciplined, they are
very patient, standing in line, there is no confusion -- they are exercising
their right of choice and we're just all happy," she said. She faces stiff
competition from Harvard-trained lawyer Winston Tubman (70) who cast his vote in
the capital saying: "I am sure of winning the first round because of the huge
support throughout the country."
Most of Liberia still extremely poor
Sirleaf's government has brought electricity and running water to some parts of
the capital, and rebuilt roads. However, most of Liberia is still extremely poor
and has no access to even the most basic services. With security institutions
still weak, the country is heavily reliant on an 8 000-strong UN peacekeeping
mission and international organisations. Observers warn that the peace is still
fragile as victims of the war seek reconciliation in a country with a dizzying
array of ethnic rivalries which at times turn deadly.
Sirleaf has been criticised for dragging her feet in implementing
recommendations by a Truth and Reconciliation Commission which names her on a
list of people who should be barred from public office for backing
warlord-turned-president Charles Taylor. The Nobel laureate has asked for more
time to continue building the "broken" country, which has recently seen massive
investments in iron ore mining and oil exploration. Candidates for presidency,
15 senatorial seats and 73 legislative seats will have to sweep an absolute
majority to avoid an eventual run-off on November 8.
Source: http://www.sabc.co.za
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