Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Set to become Liberia's next President

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afrol News, 10 November - Africa is set to get its first-ever elected female Head of State as Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf seems unbeatable in Liberia's run-off presidential polls. As 90 percent of the votes are counted, Ms Sirleaf still stands at almost 60 percent.

The National Election Commission (NEC) so far has completed the counting of 90 percent of the votes cast in Liberia's Tuesday run-off elections. There seems to be nothing stopping the victory of the 67 year old Harvard educated economist from becoming Liberia's and African's first female President. Ms Sirleaf has secured 59.2 percent of the counted votes.

The upcoming President however has been careful not to take victory in advance. Supporters at her United Party (UP) have been instructed not to start celebrating until the final results are announced - a difficult task as every partial result ticking in is good news and confirms Ms Sirleaf's victory.

The UP however knows any public celebration at this stage could provoke the counterpart. The other candidate, soccer star George Weah, seems to find it difficult to accept the approaching defeat he never expected. Mr Weah's supporters are increasingly nervous and it seems likely that protest marches will soon be organised.

Mr Weah has already publicly denounced the NEC for favouring Mr Sirleaf. He alleges that top NEC officials have stated their support for his opponent and that NEC staff had stuffed ballot boxes in Ms Sirleaf's favour. Mr Weah's Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) party today handed over a formal protest to the NEC.

The NEC has acted quickly on Mr Weah's allegations. NEC Chairperson Frances Johnson-Morris today told the press in Monrovia that she had already ordered an investigation into the CDC's protest. She promised swift action.

Mr Weah however no finds any support for his allegations beyond his own party followers. Independent election observers from the US-based Carter Centre, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the European Union today said there had been no grave incidents during the elections, which generally seemed free and fair.

Also the UN - which through its peacekeeping operation in Liberia (UNMIL) mostly is administrating the country - disagrees with Mr Weah. UNMIL leader Alan Doss today declared that the poll had been "peaceful and transparent". He warned Mr Weah against creating a violent situation, saying the UN would not accept Liberia slipping back into trouble.

Unconfirmed reports from Monrovia say that UNMIL troops this evening already have used force against militants supporting Mr Weah. Observers fear that if Mr Weah does not control his supporters, the situation could indeed get very chaotic. The former soccer star has attracted the major part of the country's former fighters and rebels.

By staff writers

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