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Liberian elections in 2005 marked the end of the political transition following Liberia 's Second Civil War . Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf , former World Bank employee and finance minister, won the presidential contest and became the first democratically-elected female Head of State in the history of the African continent in January 2006. Following the resignation and departure into exile of President Charles Taylor in August 2003 , the country was led by a transitional government as part of a deal to end the war, until Johnson-Sirleaf was sworn in as president. IMPORTANT DATES AND REGULATIONS Frances Johnson-Morris, the chairwoman of the National Elections Commission (NEC), announced the October 11 date on February 7 , 2005."Liberia to hold elections October 11", Agence France-Presse (AFP), February 7, 2005. The House Of Representatives of the new Legislature will have 64 seats; each of Liberia's 15 Counties will have two seats, and the remaining 34 seats will be allotted proportionally based on voter registration."Liberia electoral reform bill signed into law", AFP, December 17, 2004. The Senate will have 30 seats. GEORGE WEAH Prior to the election, former Football star George Weah was considered by many to be the favorite, due at least partially to widespread dissatisfaction with Liberia's politicians. Weah, who had been the subject of a petition published in September 2004 urging him to run,"Football legend George Weah urged to stand for Liberian presidency", AFP, October 3, 2004. announced his candidacy in mid- November 2004 and received a hero's welcome when he arrived in Monrovia later in the month.Terence Sesay, "Presidential candidate Weah takes Monrovia by storm", Deutsche Presse-Agentur , November 24, 2004. Weah won the first round of voting and but lost in the November 8, 2005 run-off. He initially filed formal fraud charges, but subsequently dropped his allegations, citing the interests of peace. EXCLUDED CANDIDATES These are Liberia's first elections since a victory by Taylor and his National Patriotic Party in the July 1997 Elections , which some did not consider fully free and fair. The chairman of the transitional government, Gyude Bryant , and other members of the transitional government did not run, according to the terms of the peace deal. On . In late September, the Supreme Court ruled that two excluded presidential candidates, Marcus Jones and Cornelius Hunter, and an excluded legislative candidate could register to run; this ruling created the possibility that the elections would have to be postponed in order to reprint ballot papers. However, these candidates later withdrew their bids, so the elections went ahead on schedule on October 11."Two Liberian candidates stand down to prevent delay of election", Deutsche Presse-Agentur, October 6, 2005. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES RESULTS Presidential elections Voting took place in two rounds 11 October and 8 November . Twenty-two people contested the presidential race in the first round. George Weah , former soccer star and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf , former World Bank employee and finance minister finished first and second, respectively and advanced to the second round Run-off , which Johnson-Sirleaf won 59%-41%, according to the National Electoral Commission. Weah claimed Election Fraud , stating elections officials were Stuffing Ballot boxes in Johnson-Sirleaf's favor. Most Elections Observers , including those from the United Nations , the European Union and the Economic Community Of West African States , say that the election was clean and transparent. The Carter Center observed "minor irregularities" but no major problems. Johnson-Sirleaf reminded the press that Weah has 72 hours to bring evidence of wrongdoing to her campaign according to Liberian law, calling the accusations "lies" and stating that Weah's supporters "just don't want a woman to be President in Africa." {Link without Title} On December 22 , 2005 , Weah withdrew his protests, and in January Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became the first democratically-elected female Head of State in the history of the African Continent, and the first female African Head of State since Empress Zauditu , who ruled Ethiopia from 1916 to 1930 . Legislative elections REFERENCES
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