Vote count underway in Liberia [The Morning Call]

Liberians have voted hugely in the first election run entirely by the country’s institutions since the end of civil war in 2003.

The two elections in which Africa’s first elected female president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was voted in power were managed partly by the UN.

This time though, election officials who had been preparing for months took their places at polling stations and attended to complaints from voters.

Observers reported long lines at many polling stations even at closing time. Many analysts do not believe any of the 20 presidential candidates will win outrightly.

There are also roughly 1,000 candidates from 26 parties fighting for 73 legislative seats.