Corrupt Polls in Liberia

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Today the polling stations were closed in Liberia after the current president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf could win a second term after her rival boycotted the vote, quoting fraud concerns.

Last Tuesday, Joseph Yassiah, spokesman of the electoral commission informed that there are no comments regarding the votes turnout. However news agencies reported that the effect of the sabotage by Winston Tubman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) was evident in the visibly reduced voter queues.

Some polling stations had no more than a dozen people waiting to cast their ballots, other closed before the published time on Tuesday evening. “There is a sense that people are afraid to come out and vote and this could naturally have an impact on turnout.” Added the Al Jazeera reporter Yvonne Ndege after last Monday’s violence in polling stations. (AV)