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    November 09, 2011

Vote Counting Underway in Liberia

   Scott Stearns | Monrovia
   Election workers count presidential ballots by lamplight at a polling
   station in the West Point neighborhood of Monrovia, Liberia Tuesday,
   Nov. 8, 2011
   Photo: AP
   Election workers count presidential ballots by lamplight at a polling
   station in the West Point neighborhood of Monrovia, Liberia Tuesday,
   Nov. 8, 2011

   Vote counting is underway in Liberia's presidential run-off, with
   incumbent Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf poised to win re-election following an
   opposition boycott over allegations of vote fraud. Three opposition
   radio stations remain off the air because the Sirleaf government says
   they threaten public safety.
   Ballots are being counted across Liberia following the close of just
   the second nationwide election since the end of a 14-year civil war.
   First results are expected by the end of the week, but there is little
   doubt about the outcome, as opposition candidate Winston Tubman dropped
   out of the race after accusing the electoral commission of fraud.
   Turnout
   Voter turnout for Tuesday's run-off was low. Unofficial tallies by
   several observer groups say it could be as small as 25 percent. In
   comparison, more than 70 percent of registered voters took part in last
   month's first-round vote, where 15 candidates challenged the president.
   Sirleaf supporters say many people stayed home because the opposition
   boycott means she has already won. Tubman supporters say the low
   turn-out shows the president's unpopularity and undermines the
   credibility of a second term.
   Violence
   United Nations peacekeepers remain outside the headquarters of Tubman's
   Congress for Democratic Change party, where at least two people were
   killed Monday in running battles between stone-throwing opposition
   supporters and riot police firing tear gas and live ammunition.
   Following that violence, police closed three opposition radio stations,
   including Kings FM, which is owned by Tubman's running mate, former
   football star George Weah.
   Deputy Information Minister Norris Tweah said the justice ministry
   ordered those stations closed because the violence 'provoked and
   necessitated' such action as 'the state of the nation was at stake.'
   Alexander Beahdieh, news director of Kings FM, says the government's
   move shows it will do anything to stay in power, especially as the
   private radio station Truth FM, which is owned by a supporter of the
   president, remains on the air.
   "We've tried our very best to be objective during these times, only to
   be heard or to be seen as people who've been inciting violence," said
   Beahdieh. "The government media institutions are on the air currently.
   They are reporting. The Truth FM is on the air. The ELBC is on the air.
   They shut down almost every radio station that has been balanced in
   this country and reporting the facts.'
   The New-York-based Committee to Protect Journalists says it is outraged
   by the Sirleaf administration shutting down what it calls 'essential
   voices for the opposition.' The media rights group called on the
   government in Monrovia to withdraw the complaint and allow those radio
   stations to resume broadcasts immediately.
   The court order calls managers of the three stations to a hearing
   Thursday, at which a judge will decide whether to uphold or rescind the
   broadcast suspensions.

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