Peaceful process

The elections in Liberia went well yesterday and now it's time to wait. The counting began at midnight last night in the capital, Monrovia, where there is no electricity, ballots were checked by battery powered lights.

"Turnout was huge with long queues of voters. Observers praised the conduct of and lack of violence on Tuesday."

Even though people had to wait in the heat for over five hours in some places, the process was peaceful.

"The head of the United Nations mission in Liberia, Alan Doss, said Liberians had "voted for peace".

"At all polling places I visited, I was struck by the patience, the determination and the friendliness displayed by all Liberians as they set about exercising this most precious right and responsibility," he said. With so many candidates, a second round is being predicted in four weeks time between the top two presidential candidates, unless someone secures more than 50% of the vote."

"The people of Liberia can be proud that they have successfully participated in this important step for the future of their country".