Liberians turn out in force to pick Sirleaf successor

– Ghosts of civil war –

In Monrovia, poor and young voters seem to overwhelmingly favour Weah, although his choice for vice-president in Jewel Howard-Taylor, the ex-wife of Liberian warlord Charles Taylor, may hit his support in other areas of the country.

“I think he will bring development,” sad Grace Dennis, a 24-year-old student, as she cast her vote at the University of Liberia. “People are graduating with no jobs.”

Ex-rebel leader Prince Johnson is also running for president, though a fifth of Liberia’s registered voters are aged 18-22 and are less likely, analysts say, to vote along the ethnic or tribal lines that divided the nation during the war.

– ‘New breed of leaders’ –

If no candidate wins 50 percent of the presidential vote, then a run-off of the top two contenders will be held on November 7 — an outcome analysts say is a near certainty.

Boakai, Weah’s most significant rival, has undertaken a delicate balancing act to promote his record in government while distancing himself from Sirleaf to define his own vision.

Samuel Gbazeki, 64, said he was impressed with Sirleaf and Boakai’s record of keeping peace, and was voting for continuity, in line with many older voters.

“To rebuild after war is very costly. This government has done some tremendous things,” Gbazeki commented, waiting near the end of an hours-long queue.

Upstart businessman Cummings has eaten into Weah’s support among Liberia’s youth, and his fans were also out in force across polling stations.

“We need a new breed of leaders. Mr Cummings is educated and that is what Liberians need most. Education brings insight,” pastor Fred Slocum told AFP, joining a line at William V.S. Tubman high school.