Liberians vote in senatorial polls

Liberian politician George Weah. Picture: ZOOM DOSSO

Liberian politician George Weah. Picture: ZOOM DOSSO

Published Dec 20, 2014

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Cape Town -

Liberians were lining up to elect a senate on Saturday, in polls that were postponed for two months because of an Ebola outbreak that killed more than 3 300 people in the West African nation.

A total of 139 candidates are competing for 15 seats.

The top contenders are President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's son, Robert Sirleaf, and former soccer star George Weah.

The senate has 30 seats, with half of its members' nine-year-seats up for re-election.

The government postponed the elections twice since October, out of concern the Ebola virus might further spread during political campaigning events and in long queues at polling stations.

Liberia's infection rate meanwhile dropped to less than 100 new cases per week, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Almost 7 800 Liberians are infected with the deadly virus, the WHO reported, making it the second-most affected country after neighbouring Sierra Leone. - Sapa-dpa

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