Posted on 11/07/2005 6:32:41 PM PST by HHKrepublican_2
Election officials and UN peacekeepers say everything is ready for Liberia's presidential run-off on Tuesday - the first after the end of 14 years of war.
Over the weekend, tens of thousands of rival supporters marched through the capital, Monrovia but there were no reports of any trouble.
Ex-football star George Weah is facing Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - seeking to be Africa's first elected female leader.
Some 15,000 UN troops are in Liberia to ensure the election goes smoothly.
They say they will deal swiftly with any trouble-makers.
They are being supported by some 3,000 newly trained Liberian police who were deployed last week.
But correspondents say the past few months of campaigning have been remarkably peaceful.
Tough task
Officials say security measures are in place and that polling material is being sent out across the country.
Guide to Liberia and its recent turbulent history
At-a-glance However, recent heavy rains have increased the number of inaccessible areas, raising fears of a lower turn-out than in the first round, when long queues formed overnight and people waited patiently under the blazing sun.
Paul Risley, spokesman for the UN mission in Liberia (Unmil) said the "level of political campaigning and interest" has dropped after many people's first choice candidates were no longer contesting according to the UN's Irin news agency.
These elections are designed to cement the transformation of Liberia to a democratic state.
Correspondents say whoever wins will have the enormous task of rebuilding a country shattered by the long war.
Many buildings in Monrovia were destroyed and there is no mains electricity supply or running water.
Only 20% of the population can read and write.
Gender divide
Mr Weah is the best-known Liberian in the world and came top in the first round of voting, with 28% of ballots cast.
He represents success for a country blighted by decades of war and has the support of most young men - especially the ex-combatants.
George Weah George Weah brings a feel-good factor to Liberia The BBC's Mark Doyle in Monrovia says as a political candidate his feel-good factor is immense.
But his opponents say that is as far as it goes.
They say he is young, inexperienced and surrounded by political opportunists.
They say Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf, 66, a former World Bank economist is better qualified for the job.
The grandmother nicknamed the "Iron lady" received 20% of the vote in the first round and is popular with women and the educated elite.
She has pledged to form a government of national unity if she wins the poll.
"Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - seeking to be Africa's first elected female leader."
This is a joke, right? Shows how much I dont know how much Africa is behind the times.
Now thats going to stop voter fraud....yep, that'll do it...shhessshhh
That's because US troops didn't liberate them last year.
Bush dragged his feet on landing Marines and too many people here at FR screamed about the the inevitability of a second Mogadishu if American soldiers went to Africa on a humanitarian mission. (check the history yourself) Boots hit the ground when Liberian pleas at the US Embassy became so common that the State Dept worried the surrounding neighborhood would become killing fields for Taylor loyalists.
The SHOCKING thing is how some people completely disregard history (even recent history that is well known) in order to fabricate another reason to bash the press.
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