Liberia To Elect A New President.
Liberians are voting to elect a new president and legislators in a poll that will see the country's first transfer of power from one democratically elected leader to another.
Provincial results are expected within 48 hours, but the electoral body has until October 25 to issue its final confirmation of the results and to announce a runoff if necessary for the presidency.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female president in west Africa, is leaving power after serving 12 years in office - the maximum allowed under the West African country's constitution.
Polls opened at 8:00am, and will close at 06:00pm.
Twenty candidates, including the current vice president, former world footballer of the year and a model, are running for the country's top seat - with 2.2 million voters registered in the small country of 4.6 million people.
"People have been queuing up since 5:30am. They are very eager to cast their votes. A lot of passion and interest is being paid to this election," Idris said.
For a candidate to be declared a winner, they must get at least 50 percent of the votes cast, plus one. With no clear favourite, a second round of voting is likely. Liberians will also elect 73 members of the upper house, or House of Representatives.
The upper house uses a first-past-the-post system, where the representative with the highest number of votes is elected. No senators (lower house) will be elected this year.
President Sirleaf, 78, urged Liberians on Monday to respect the outcome of the hotly contested election regardless of who wins.
"Go to the polls peacefully, respecting every Liberian's right to vote with dignity and pride. Embrace your neighbour, regardless of their political choice," Sirleaf, popularly knowns Ellen Ma, said in a speech broadcast on state television.
"The future of the country is in your hands. Vote for the person and persons you believe will make Liberia a better place. The world will be watching. Let's make them proud," she said.
Liberians are voting to elect a new president and legislators in a poll that will see the country's first transfer of power from one democratically elected leader to another.
Provincial results are expected within 48 hours, but the electoral body has until October 25 to issue its final confirmation of the results and to announce a runoff if necessary for the presidency.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female president in west Africa, is leaving power after serving 12 years in office - the maximum allowed under the West African country's constitution.
Polls opened at 8:00am, and will close at 06:00pm.
Twenty candidates, including the current vice president, former world footballer of the year and a model, are running for the country's top seat - with 2.2 million voters registered in the small country of 4.6 million people.
"People have been queuing up since 5:30am. They are very eager to cast their votes. A lot of passion and interest is being paid to this election," Idris said.
For a candidate to be declared a winner, they must get at least 50 percent of the votes cast, plus one. With no clear favourite, a second round of voting is likely. Liberians will also elect 73 members of the upper house, or House of Representatives.
The upper house uses a first-past-the-post system, where the representative with the highest number of votes is elected. No senators (lower house) will be elected this year.
President Sirleaf, 78, urged Liberians on Monday to respect the outcome of the hotly contested election regardless of who wins.
"Go to the polls peacefully, respecting every Liberian's right to vote with dignity and pride. Embrace your neighbour, regardless of their political choice," Sirleaf, popularly knowns Ellen Ma, said in a speech broadcast on state television.
"The future of the country is in your hands. Vote for the person and persons you believe will make Liberia a better place. The world will be watching. Let's make them proud," she said.
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