Liberia’s election race is heating up as opposition leader Joseph Boakai has taken a slight lead, securing 50.6% of the votes compared to President George Weah’s 49.4%. With results in from around 87% of polling stations, the country’s elections commission revealed this data on Thursday, hinting at a potential shift in power.
Boakai and Weah initially emerged closely matched from the first round of voting but fell short of the required 50% mark, leading to a run-off on November 14.
The election has become a pivotal test of support for Weah, the former soccer star turned president, who faced criticism in his first term for allegedly not addressing corruption adequately, according to opposition figures and international partners.
Boakai, who lost to Weah in the 2017 election, has campaigned on a platform centered around rescuing the nation from what he describes as mismanagement under Weah’s administration.
Corruption has long plagued Liberia, eroding public trust in the government. Weah’s tenure has been marred by several corruption scandals, including reports of a missing $100 million container and mishandling of a $25 million cash injection scheme, triggering widespread protests in 2018.
Several individuals, including officials close to Weah, faced sanctions from the United States for alleged involvement in corrupt practices, further tainting the administration’s reputation.
Weah and his supporters highlight a new law passed in July 2022 that grants the anticorruption commission prosecutorial power as a step forward in combating corruption. However, critics point out that key officials sanctioned by the US in 2022 are now seeking parliamentary seats under the ruling party’s banner.
Amidst these controversies, the electorate seems eager for change, signaling a desire to explore alternative leadership beyond the current administration. The stakes remain high as the country awaits the final outcome of this closely watched election.
