Liberia’s top court puts run-off election on hold as first-round loser claims fraud
Monrovia — Liberia’s Supreme Court has stayed next week’s presidential run-off election until it considers a challenge to first round results by a losing candidate who has alleged fraud. Third-place finisher Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party challenged the results of last month’s vote, which set up a November 7 run-off between former soccer star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai. The election is meant to usher in Liberia’s first democratic transition since 1944 after long periods of military rule and a civil war that ended in 2003. In a writ issued late on Tuesday, the court instructed Liberty Party and the National Elections Commission to file briefs by Thursday at the latest. It was unclear if the court would rule before November 7. "This is a big step in the right direction," Liberty Party chairman Benjamin Sanvee said. "Thankfully, the court recognises the gravity of the issues, and has taken action in defence of the law and democracy." Earlier this week, Boakai’s rul...
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