Nobel winner seeks re-election in Liberia

Liberians voted in the country's second post-war elections Tuesday in which incumbent president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was seeking a second term only days after jointly winning the Nobel Peace Prize. National elections chief James Fromayan praised a peaceful day of voting, saying the country had reached "a new dimension where the Liberian people chose the ballot box over the barrel of a gun." Counting was underway, and provisional results were expected on Thursday at 4pm in the presidential, senatorial and legislative elections, held under the watchful eye of UN soldiers and observers. An impressive turnout from some 1.8 million eligible voters was expected as hundreds were seen lining up under the blazing sun in some parts of the country, and thunderous rainfall in the capital. Voting was slow in some places as some had to be educated on how to cast their vote. In one polling station an AFP correspondent witnessed fellow voters assisting each other. African Union observer mission chief Speciosa Wangira-Kazibwe, said voting had proceeded "very well". She said the turnout "puts a big challenge on the leaders that are being elected today. When you look in the eyes of these Liberians they are saying we are giving you our vote, and you will lead us to prosperity". UN chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed "the smooth holding of the presidential and legislative elections in Liberia". "He commends the people of Liberia for exercising their right to vote in a calm and peaceful manner," said his spokesman. "This election is an important milestone in the efforts to consolidate peace and democracy in the country." "The Secretary-General calls on the people of Liberia and all parties and candidates to preserve the existing peaceful atmosphere as the tallying of votes gets underway. "He also reaffirms the continued commitment of the United Nations to support the consolidation of peace and reconstruction of Liberia." The election, the second since the end of a savage 14-year war, is seen as a test for the west African nation's fragile democracy, and a referendum on Sirleaf's rule, since she became Africa's first elected female president in 2005. The 72-year-old grandmother, dressed in jeans and wearing a cap, waited in line for half an hour in the oppressive heat in her home village Fee Fee Town about 60 kilometres (40 miles) outside Monrovia, before being fast-tracked to the elderly queue. "I'm very pleased to see the manner in which the Liberian people are voting, they've come out in numbers - they are very disciplined, they are very patient, standing in line, there is no confusion -- they are exercising their right of choice and we're just all happy," she said. She faces stiff competition from Harvard-trained lawyer Winston Tubman, 70, who cast his vote in the capital saying: "I am sure of winning the first round because of the huge support throughout the country." Sirleaf's government has brought electricity and running water to some parts of the capital, and rebuilt roads. However, most of Liberia is still extremely poor and has no access to even the most basic services. With security institutions still weak, the country is heavily reliant on an 8,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission and international organisations. Observers warn that the peace is still fragile as victims of the war seek reconciliation in a country with a dizzying array of ethnic rivalries which at times turn deadly. Sirleaf has been criticised for dragging her feet in implementing recommendations by a Truth and Reconciliation Commission which names her on a list of people who should be barred from public office for backing warlord-turned-president Charles Taylor. The Nobel laureate has asked for more time to continue building the "broken" country, which has recently seen massive investments in iron ore mining and oil exploration. Candidates for presidency, 15 senatorial seats and 73 legislative seats will have to sweep an absolute majority to avoid an eventual run-off on November 8.