JOHNSON-SIRLEAF
MONROVIA (AP):
ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF claimed victory yesterday in Liberia's post-war presidential poll, a win that would make her Africa's first-ever elected female leader if it is officially certified.
With almost 91 per cent of ballots counted, the electoral commission said 67-year-old Johnson-Sirleaf held about 59 per cent of Tuesday's vote, compared with 41 per cent for international football star George Weah, who claims the poll was fraudulent.
"I think the results are clear," Johnson-Sirleaf told The Associated Press at her residence in Monrovia. "It's clear that the Liberian people have expressed confidence in me. They have elected me to lead the team that will bring reform to the country and that will deliver development."
FAIR ELECTIONS
International observers who monitored the poll said preliminary findings indicated it was fair.
Election officials said they would investigate fraud allegations from Weah, who had earlier called on supporters - this include former warlords, rebel leaders and fighters - to remain calm.
There was no immediate word from Weah's camp on whether he was conceding the vote - Liberia's first since the end of a 1989-2003 civil war, and subsequent transitional government of national unity that arranged the elections.
"We're going to do it right from day one. We're going to have a government of inclusion. We're going to reach out to the people," Johnson-Sirleaf said.
She also said she would offer Weah a post in government - perhaps the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
"We hope that Mr. Weah will get over his disappointment that has led to his rejecting the results, and that ultimately he'll accept it and we'll find a way forward together."
National Elections Commission Chairwoman Frances Johnson-Morris said with 90.8 per cent of votes tallied, 59.1 was held by Johnson-Sirleaf versus 40.9 per cent for Weah.
FRAUD COMPLAINT
Johnson-Morris said the commission had received a fraud complaint from Weah's campaign, but she gave no details. "We'll do everything to expedite the investigation," she said.
On Wednesday, Weah accused poll workers of having plans to stuff ballot boxes in Johnson-Sirleaf's favour - charges Johnson-Sirleaf denied.
Weah has accused the National Elections Commission of bias.
Yesterday, Weah talked with Alan Doss, who heads the 15,000-strong peacekeeping mission that has been deployed in Liberia since civil war ended in 2003.
"We are seeking the advice of the international community and all the people that are involved to see if everybody can arrest this situation," Weah said. "While we are preparing ourselves for the legal side, we are also asking our people to be very calm."
