Former World Best Footballer, George Weah Elected To Liberian Senate In Landslide Victory

Liberian humanitarian, politician, ex-footballer and one-time FIFA World best footballer of the year, George Weah, has won a landslide victory in Liberia's senate elections, in polls disrupted by the Ebola outbreak. Mr Weah got 78% of the vote for the Montserrado county seat, which includes the capital Monrovia. He beat Robert Sirleaf, the son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who took nearly 11%.
Low turnout in the poll, which was first planned for October, was blamed on concerns about Ebola. Strict health controls were also in place to try to prevent the spread of the disease. Those who came to polling stations had their temperature taken, were told to stand a metre (3ft) apart and wash their hands before and after voting.

Other winners in the senate elections include Jewel Howard-Taylor, the ex-wife of the jailed former president Charles Taylor, and the former rebel leader Prince Johnson. Both retained their seats.

The National Elections Commission chairman, Jerome Korkoya, called the conclusion of the vote "the end of a crucial journey".

Source: BBC Africa