I will accept any credible result, says Liberia VP Boakai

 Vice President Joseph Boakai of Liberia says he will accept any result that is credible and transparent in the country’s general elections. Boakai,who is a presidential candidate in Tuesday’s election, spoke to newsmen shortly after voting at Sis. Kathleen Mcquire Catholic High School, Cooper Farm Community, District No 6, Monrovia. The vice president, who cast […]

 Vice President Joseph Boakai of Liberia says he will accept any result that is credible and transparent in the country’s general elections.

Boakai,who is a presidential candidate in Tuesday’s election, spoke to newsmen shortly after voting at Sis. Kathleen Mcquire Catholic High School, Cooper Farm Community, District No 6, Monrovia.

The vice president, who cast his ballot at 10:52 a.m. (11:52 a.m., Nigeria time), also thanked Liberians for the massive turnout for the elections.

He pledged to develop the country with Liberians, without reliance on foreign aid, if elected.

“I feel good, and I can see the lines are jam-packed and this is an indication that Liberians are ready to decide who their next president should be.

“If elected I am going to tell them that this is the time for real business. We are not going to be a donor-driven country; Liberians are going to build their economy.

“I am not looking forward to a second round. Liberians are going to elect their president in the first round so that we can get to business.

“Any result that is credible, transparent, free and fair is okay by me,’’ he said.

A winner of the presidential election must get 50 per cent plus one vote to avoid a run-off, according to the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, Mr Jerome Kokoya.

He said voting would end at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. Nigeria time), adding that early results would be announced as from 11 p.m.

Boakai is one of the 20 presidential candidates in the race to succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the country’s first female president and Nobel Peace awardee.

The vice president and ex-football star, George Weah, are the main contestants in Liberia’s first transition elections since 1944.

Weah is popular among young Liberians, who constitute a large portion of the population.

Meanwhile, a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent covering the exercise reports that polling centres in Monrovia are packed with eager voters on winding queues.

Mr Festus Bundor, 46, who has been on the queue since 5:45 a.m. said he was ready to sacrifice the whole day and his convenience to choose his next leaders.

“All we want is a peaceful election that will produce good leaders with the interest of the people and Liberia above personal considerations,’’ Bundor said.

The exercise has also provided an opportunity for brisk business to hawkers and traders in snacks, soft drinks and packaged water in and around polling centres.(NAN)