Opposition candidate Joseph Boakai has emerged victorious in the Liberian presidential run-off elections, leading his Unity Party to victory with an impressive 51% of the votes counted so far.
Opposition candidate Joseph Boakai has maintained a slim lead in the Liberian presidential election after official results from more than 99% of polling stations were announced.
His 50.89% of the votes, however slim, is enough to get him the presidential seat, while incumbent President George Weah loses with 49.11%.
Boakai, 78, a former vice president who lost to Weah in the 2017 election,
The Liberian presidential run-off elections were held amid high expectations and a palpable sense of enthusiasm among the electorate. The turnout was impressive, with citizens eagerly exercising their democratic right to choose the leader they believed would bring prosperity and stability to the nation.
After a fiercely contested campaign, Boakai managed to secure a slim lead against his opponent, George Weah, who led the first round in October with 43.83 percent of the votes.
The race was closely watched both domestically and internationally, as it signified a critical juncture in Liberia’s democratic journey. Ultimately, it was Boakai’s message of unity, experience, and steady leadership that resonated with the majority of voters.
Being a political veteran who served from 2006 to 2018 as deputy to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state, made him a fierce contender in the 2023 contest.
His reputation as a calm, level-headed, and experienced statesman struck a chord with voters, who yearned for a leader capable of navigating the challenges lying ahead.
This is the country’s fourth post-war presidential election, but the first one without the presence of the United Nations mission, which previously provided support to the country’s elections commission.
The nation erupted in jubilation as news spread about Boakai’s triumph, marking a significant moment for Liberia’s political landscape.
