Liberia Election: DW Africa’s editorial mistake puts Weah in early lead

Claim: “Early tallying in Liberian election shows incumbent president George Weah taking the lead.”

Verdict: False. DW Africa has admitted the viral content was an error and has taken steps to correct same.

Findings:

DUBAWA contacted DW Africa’s  Liberia correspondent, Evelyn Seagbeh who clarified that the post circulating on social media was from DW Africa, but stated it was a mistake from the editorial desk.

She, however, indicated that the post has been taken down by DW Africa.

The news house has rectified its blunder by updating the page with the correct information. Of the initial 0.27% presidential results from 16 of 5,890 polling places announced by the NEC a day after the elections, former Vice President Joseph Boakai is in the lead by 3,119 (60.17%), while incumbent President George Weah is 1,681 (32.43%).