Liberians are heading to a presidential run-off on Tuesday in what in a vote meant to mark the country’s first democratic transition of power since 1944.
This presidential poll is more than a test of the country’s democratic credentials as well as a suggestion of a vibrant political scene emerging in a country that was once notorious for rebel conflicts and protracted civil war.
So, what are the key points in the Tuesday run-off?
Election model
Liberia is Africa’s first republic which was founded by freed slaves from the United States. The country retains similarities with the US political system, though there are significant variations.
Presidential and vice-presidential candidates run on a joint ticket for six-year terms.
Elections are overseen by the autonomous National Elections Commission (NEC).
Run-off
The country operates a two-round voting system for presidential elections.
If in the first round there is no single candidate with more than 50% of votes, the two candidates with the highest number of votes will face a run-off.
Tuesday’s run-off is a battle pitting soccer star turned politician Senator George Weah and Vice President Joseph Boakai, both fell well short of 50% of votes.
The incumbent, Africa’s first elected female leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, cannot run having served the maximum two terms.
Voting day
On the voting day, the country’s 2.1 million voters will cast their ballot in the polling stations which open at 08:00 and close at 18:00.
Observers
The European Union, African Union and regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have all deployed observer missions to ensure the elections are held in free and fair circumstances.
Disputed results caused violence in the last election in 2011 and this will be the first vote entirely overseen by Liberia’s police and army, without the support of UN peacekeepers.
Results
Official provisional results are expected within 48 hours. The new president is expected to be inaugurated on January 22.
