Liberia weah boakai presidential election run off
The 2017 Liberian presidential election runoff!
On November 8, 2017, Liberians went to the polls to elect their new president. The election was a runoff between two candidates: George Weah, the former international soccer star and leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), and Joseph Boakai, the vice president of Liberia under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the standard-bearer of the Unity Party (UP).
Here's a brief summary of the election:
Background: The election was held after the first round of voting on October 10, 2017, which saw George Weah and Joseph Boakai emerge as the top two candidates. Weah won 38.4% of the vote, while Boakai received 28.8%. Since neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a runoff was necessary.
Runoff election: The runoff election was held on November 8, 2017. Weah and Boakai campaigned across the country, with Weah focusing on his message of change and economic development, while Boakai emphasized his experience and continuity with the current government.
Results: According to the National Election Commission of Liberia (NEC), George Weah won the runoff election with 61.5% of the vote, while Joseph Boakai received 38.5%. Weah's victory was seen as a significant upset, as many had expected Boakai's experience and connections to give him an advantage.
Aftermath: Weah's victory marked a significant shift in Liberian politics, as he became the first former athlete to be elected president of the country. His inauguration took place on January 22, 2018. Weah's presidency has been marked by challenges, including economic struggles and corruption allegations.
Key facts:
- Turnout: 56.5% of registered voters cast their ballots in the runoff election.
- Weah's victory was seen as a reflection of the country's desire for change and a break from the status quo.
- The election was observed by international organizations, including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which praised the conduct of the election.
I hope this summary helps!