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Weah takes early lead in Liberia election’s first results

Former soccer star George Weah, Presidential candidate for the Coalition for Democratic Change cast his vote during a Presidential election in Monrovia, Liberia. Tuesday Oct. 10, 2017. Liberians gathered in masses under the bright sun Tuesday to vote in an election that for the first time in more than 70 years will see one democratically elected government hand power to another. As Africa's first female president prepares to step aside, many called for peaceful and fair elections. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
Former soccer star George Weah, Presidential candidate for the Coalition for Democratic Change cast his vote during a Presidential election in Monrovia, Liberia. Tuesday Oct. 10, 2017. Liberians gathered in masses under the bright sun Tuesday to vote in an election that for the first time in more than 70 years will see one democratically elected government hand power to another. As Africa's first female president prepares to step aside, many called for peaceful and fair elections. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh) Former soccer star George Weah, Presidential candidate for the Coalition for Democratic Change cast his vote during a Presidential election in Monrovia, Liberia. Tuesday Oct. 10, 2017. Liberians gathered in masses under the bright sun Tuesday to vote in an election that for the first time in more than 70 years will see one democratically elected government hand power to another. As Africa's first female president prepares to step aside, many called for peaceful and fair elections. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)

By Associated Press 2 min read

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) – Former international soccer star George Weah has taken an early lead in Liberia’s presidential election as the West African nation begins releasing provisional results.

The National Election Commission data shared late Thursday show Weah ahead in 14 of Liberia’s 15 counties while Vice President Joseph Boakai leads in his home county, Lofa. With 20 candidates in the race, observers expect a runoff election.

Commission Chairman Jerome Korkoya warned that the early results represent a small portion of the total vote, and he cautioned candidates’ supporters against declaring victory.

Liberia seeks a successor to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who led the country as it recovered from civil war and the Ebola outbreak that killed nearly 5,000 Liberians.

One of the largest political parties called for a halt to vote-counting Thursday, alleging voting irregularities and fraud. Angry Liberty Party supporters claimed that polls opened late and that ballot-tampering occurred in at least one location in the capital, Monrovia.