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Liberia set to vote in poll to choose Ellen Johnson Sirleaf successor Liberia votes to choose Ellen Johnson Sirleaf successor
(about 7 hours later)
Liberians are set to go to the polls to choose a successor to Africa's first elected female president and Nobel Peace laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Liberians are going to the polls to choose a successor to Africa's first elected female president and Nobel Peace laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Ex-football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai are the main contenders in the race to succeed her.Ex-football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai are the main contenders in the race to succeed her.
Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power in 73 years.Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power in 73 years.
Ms Sirleaf urged people to vote peacefully in a nation still recovering from a 14-year civil war.Ms Sirleaf urged people to vote peacefully in a nation still recovering from a 14-year civil war.
"Your vote is about you and your family - not party, ethnicity," she said in an address to to the nation."Your vote is about you and your family - not party, ethnicity," she said in an address to to the nation.
A total of 20 presidential candidates are running to succeed Ms Sirleaf.A total of 20 presidential candidates are running to succeed Ms Sirleaf.
They include Alex Cummings, a former Coca-Cola executive, and MacDella Cooper, an ex-model and girlfriend of Mr Weah.They include Alex Cummings, a former Coca-Cola executive, and MacDella Cooper, an ex-model and girlfriend of Mr Weah.
Ms Sirleaf, 78, is stepping down at the end of her two terms.Ms Sirleaf, 78, is stepping down at the end of her two terms.
She took office in 2006, after her predecessor, Charles Taylor, was forced out of office by rebels in 2003.She took office in 2006, after her predecessor, Charles Taylor, was forced out of office by rebels in 2003.
Taylor is currently serving a 50-year prison sentence in the UK for war crimes related to the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.Taylor is currently serving a 50-year prison sentence in the UK for war crimes related to the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
Mr Weah, 51, has chosen Taylor's ex-wife Jewel Howard Taylor as his running mate.Mr Weah, 51, has chosen Taylor's ex-wife Jewel Howard Taylor as his running mate.
This is the former footballer of the year's third attempt to become president.This is the former footballer of the year's third attempt to become president.
Ms Sirleaf has failed to campaign for Mr Boakai, fuelling speculation that the two have fallen out.Ms Sirleaf has failed to campaign for Mr Boakai, fuelling speculation that the two have fallen out.
Supporters of Mr Boakai, 72, are campaigning under the slogan: "Our ma [Ms Sirleaf] spoil it, our pa will fix it."
Almost 2.2 million people are registered to vote in the election.Almost 2.2 million people are registered to vote in the election.
Parliamentary elections are also due to be held at the same time. Parliamentary elections are also being held at the same time.
Campaigning has been dominated by promises to tackle poverty, corruption, and guarantee stability in the West African state.Campaigning has been dominated by promises to tackle poverty, corruption, and guarantee stability in the West African state.
Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than 50% of people living in poverty.Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than 50% of people living in poverty.
It was one of three West African states badly hit by the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak which left more than 11,300 people dead.It was one of three West African states badly hit by the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak which left more than 11,300 people dead.