Liberians Jam Polls in Peaceful Vote

Liberia’s first elections in 12 years came off peacefully Saturday, with no incidents reported by the time the polls closed at 4 p.m.

Voters were choosing a president from 12 candidates and hoping for peace after seven years of civil war. They also were selecting 26 senators and 64 lower house deputies based on proportional representation.

The process was monitored by more than 500 international observers, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Long lines had snaked from polling centers as early as 4 a.m. as Liberians scrambled to cast their votes in what political leaders described as an overwhelming rejection of rule by the gun.

The presidential and parliamentary polls were designed by Liberia’s regional peace brokers to wrap up an accord ending the civil war that has devastated the country.

Nearly every family in Liberia has been touched by the war, which killed more than 150,000 and displaced half the pre-war population of 2.5 million. Fear of a return to violence by losing candidates remains a source of concern.

The first results should be known by tonight, with full results due by late Wednesday, electoral officials said.

If no candidate polls more than 50%, a runoff ballot will be held Aug. 2.