Vote counting underway after presidential run-off in Liberia

MONROVIA, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Vote counting is underway in polling units across Liberia following a presidential run-off in the country on Tuesday.

The counting started at 6 p.m. local time, following the closing of polls in all 5,390 polling units across the West African nation.

Local and international election observers have described the process as "generally peaceful and smooth."

Compared to the Oct. 10 general elections that witnessed a huge turnout of voters, a low turnout was recorded in the presidential run-off.

In the capital city of Monrovia, there was a heavy presence of security personnel in all polling centers.

The much-anticipated second round of voting is a contest between opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) candidate George Weah and Liberian Vice President Joseph Boakai, the governing Unity Party's candidate.

The winner will replace Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first female president, who is stepping down after two terms in office.

No candidate was able to secure the 51 percent valid votes required by law to be elected president in the first round on Oct. 10. Enditem