LIBERIA: Supreme Court halts presidential run-off

Liberia’s Supreme Court has ordered preparations for Tuesday’s presidential run-off to be halted amid allegations of fraud in the first round. Ex-football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai are due to go head-to-head in the 7 November vote. But the Liberty Party’s Charles Brumskine, who came third in the first round, has challenged the […]

Liberia’s Supreme Court has ordered preparations for Tuesday’s presidential run-off to be halted amid allegations of fraud in the first round.

Ex-football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai are due to go head-to-head in the 7 November vote.

But the Liberty Party’s Charles Brumskine, who came third in the first round, has challenged the result.

Following the announcement, riot police were deployed to guard the court and electoral commission.

Later, a delegation arrived in the capital, among them the heads of the regional grouping Ecowas, and the Africa Union. They are meeting the heads of all the political parties.

Mr Brumskine and the Liberty Party said the first round was “characterised by massive systematic irregularities and fraud”, including polling stations opening late and therefore preventing people from voting.

The election is to be postponed until his accusations are properly investigated, the court says.