Liberia’s electoral commission said on Monday that claims of fraud brought by a presidential candidate in last month’s election did not have sufficient evidence, delivering a preliminary conclusion of an investigation.
Former football star George Weah was initially set to face Vice-President Joseph Boakai to determine who will replace Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Charles Brumskine, who took third place and his Liberty Party, contested the outcome of the first round, claiming gross irregularities.
The Supreme Court this month suspended the run-off until the electoral commission can investigate Brumskine’s claim.
“According to the hearing officer, the Liberty Party did not have sufficient evidence to prove their case. It was denied,” commission spokesman Prince Dunbar said by telephone, Reuters reports.
It now goes to the NEC’s board of commissioners to ratify the conclusion, after which the plaintiffs can still take the case back to the Supreme Court for a final ruling.
