The Supreme Court of Liberia, today, ruled for a run-off election despite a challenge from Liberty Party's Charles Brumskine that the October 10 poll was graced by massive fraud and irregularities. The ruling automatically gives the National Elections Commission (NEC) the authority to schedule a run-off election between football legend, now Senator, George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change, and incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party. Senator Weah reportedly received 38% of the total votes in the October poll while Vice President Boakai and Cllr. Charles Brumskine received 28% and 9.6% respectively. Cllr. Brumskine of the Liberty claimed that the October 10 election was not handled in accordance with the constitution of Liberia, and he called for a re-run. The Unity Party had also challenged the October 10 results. A hearing held at the National Elections Commission dismissed both LP/UP claims of fraud and irregularities. Upon the dismissal of the case by NEC board of commissioners, the aggrieved parties took an appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia. The ruling from the Supreme Court rests on the provision of insufficient evidence being provided by LP/UP to nullify the October 10 election.
The winner of the run-off, which will most like be scheduled this December, will replace Africa's first elected female head of state, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Liberia has enjoyed peace for the last 14 years since the end of the country's 14 years civil war. This transition from Mrs. Sirleaf to either VP Boakai or Senator Weah will mark a historic transition in 70 years.
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