Liberia’s Boakai ahead by 28,000 votes as President Weah concedes defeat
MONROVIA, Nov 17 (Reuters) – Liberia President George Weah on Friday conceded election defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai, just hours after polls showed Boakai was ahead with nearly all the votes counted, spokespeople for both candidates told Reuters.
Weah “has called Mr. Boakai to congratulate him,” presidential press secretary Solo Kehgbeh told Reuters. “This is the beauty of democracy.”
Boakai spokesman Amara Konneh confirmed the call.
Boakai, 78, a former vice president who lost to Weah in the 2017 election, led with 50.89% of the vote over Weah’s 49.11%, according to results from 99.6% of polling stations, the country’s elections commission said on Friday.
Supporters of Boakai celebrated his likely victory, although final results are still expected in the coming days.
The news of Boakai’s lead and Weah’s concession has been met with mixed reactions across Liberia, with some celebrating the potential for change and others expressing their disappointment.
This latest development in the presidential elections marks a significant shift in Liberian politics and sets the stage for the peaceful transfer of power.
Reporting by Carielle Doe and Alphonso Toweh; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Edward McAllister, Louise Heavens, Jonathan Oatis and Cynthia Osterman