Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 8, 2007

Voters in Sierra Leone Choosing President in Run-Off Election
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=19561B3:A6F02AD83191E1608A90776EF7FFBA3B9574F7DCC14957C0 In first round,
opposition leader Ernest Koroma led Vice President Solomon Berewa 44
to 38 percent, but fell short of 55 percent needed to avoid run-off





People wait in line to vote outside the Wilberforce Community Center,
in Freetown, 08 Sep 2007Voters in Sierra Leone are choosing a
president Saturday in a run-off election.

In the first round of voting last month in the West African nation,
opposition leader Ernest Koroma led Vice President Solomon Berewa 44
to 38 percent, but fell short of the 55 percent needed to avoid the
run-off.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed for a peaceful
election. A statement by Mr. Ban said he is deeply concerned about
reports of intimidation and violence involving supporters of Sierra
Leone's two main political parties.

Supporters of the two candidates have clashed in several districts in
the last two weeks.

The two candidates had agreed to take part in a peace march Friday as
a symbol of unity, but neither candidate appeared.

Koroma said he boycotted the rally because of what he called violent
attacks against his party. He said the ruling People's Party has not
done enough to stop the violence.

The first round of voting on August 11 passed peacefully and was
deemed free and fair by international observers.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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