Liberia polls: Nigeria senator calls 'fake' victory for Weah

Liberia

A Nigerian Senator has congratulated former World Footballer of the Year, George Weah, for his “victory” in Liberia’s presidential election, but his message has largely been dismissed as ‘fake.’

Senator Shehu Sani of Kaduna State used his twitter handle to ‘declare’ Weah the victor at a time when indications point to a run-off between the former footballer and Vice-president Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) had on Wednesday cautioned against the spread of what it called ‘fake results.’

Preliminary results would ONLY be reported on radio and website AFTER THOROUGH CHECKING once they are ready. DO NOT circulate fake results.

— NEC Liberia (@NECLiberia) October 11, 2017

According to NEC Liberia, preliminary results were going to be transmitted only via radio and its website. “Do not believe in spurious results announcements. Wait for official update from the NEC before trusting any results,” they stressed.

The elections of October 10 went smoothly with only one incident at a polling center in Nimba County where voting was disrupted. The NEC says a new date will be set for voting at the center where election materials were quarantined.

Turnout was huge as about two million voters queued to elect a new president to replace outgoing Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and to also pick 73 lawmakers out of over 900 candidates.