In a controversial twist, Liberia’s ruling party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), led by President and former soccer legend George Weah, is facing a significant challenge in convincing the nation’s citizens to offer their unwavering support. The upcoming presidential election appears poised for a potential rerun, with Weah’s leadership hanging in the balance.
Provisional results, as of Monday, strongly suggest that Liberia’s presidential election is on the verge of a runoff. The data reveals a neck-and-neck race between President George Weah and opposition leader Joseph Boakai following the initial round of voting held on October 10.
In the current tally, Boakai maintains a narrow lead with 43.70% of the vote, while Weah closely trails with 43.65%. These figures are based on data collected from 92.8% of the polling places, according to the nation’s election commission. To clinch an outright victory and avoid a runoff, the winning candidate must secure more than 50% of the total votes cast.
The intense political climate raises questions about George Weah’s leadership and his ability to deliver significant accomplishments for Liberia. Critics point out that even Weah’s son, a footballer, doesn’t represent the national team of his own country, fueling the skepticism and grievances of the Liberian people towards his leadership.