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[1/3]Liberia’s opposition Unity Party Joseph Boakai waves to his supporters as holds his final campaign rally for the presidential elections in Monrovia, Liberia October 7, 2023. Reuters/Carielle Doe/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
MONROVIA, Nov 17 (Reuters) – Liberia President George Weah on Friday conceded election defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai, just hours after polls showed Boakai was ahead with nearly all the votes counted, spokespeople for both candidates told Reuters.
Weah “has called Mr. Boakai to congratulate him,” presidential press secretary Solo Kehgbeh told Reuters. “This is the beauty of democracy.”
Boakai spokesman Amara Konneh confirmed the call.
Boakai, 78, a former vice president who lost to Weah in the 2017 election, led with 50.89% of the vote over Weah’s 49.11%, according to results from 99.6% of polling stations, the country’s elections commission said on Friday.
Final results are expected in the coming days.
Reporting Carielle Doe and Alphonso Toweh; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Edward McAllister, Louise Heavens, Jonathan Oatis and Cynthia Osterman
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