Economist, football star lead field in Liberia polls

Former Finance Minister Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and football star George Weah emerged as early front-runners yesterday in Liberia's first post-war elections, officials said, citing initial results.

Expectation gripped the West African country after an enthusiastic turnout in the presidential and parliamentary polls held on Tuesday, which were aimed at restoring stability after the civil war that ended two years ago.

First results from 39 out of a total of 3,070 polling stations showed Ms Johnson-Sirleaf, a 66-year-old grandmother and Harvard-trained economist, and 39-year-old Mr Weah, a former AC Milan striker, leading the field of 22 presidential candidates.

"The two front-runners in the presidential race from these results are Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf with 24.6 per cent from George Weah at 21.2 per cent," National Elections Commission chief Frances Johnson-Morris told a news conference.

She stressed these were early and partial results and called for patience, saying the final national results would take between three and seven days.

If Ms Johnson-Sirleaf wins, she would become Africa's first elected female President.