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Ebola crisis: Liberia holds senate postponed election | Ebola crisis: Liberia holds senate postponed election |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Voters in Liberia are going to the polls in an election that was postponed in October because of the Ebola outbreak. | |
Liberians are choosing representatives to the country's senate. | |
Among the 139 candidates vying for 15 seats are former football star George Weah and Robert Sirleaf, the son of Liberia's president. | Among the 139 candidates vying for 15 seats are former football star George Weah and Robert Sirleaf, the son of Liberia's president. |
Ebola has infected about 19,000 people in West Africa, killing more than 7,300 - with about 3,340 deaths in Liberia. | Ebola has infected about 19,000 people in West Africa, killing more than 7,300 - with about 3,340 deaths in Liberia. |
The senate elections were postponed in October in a bid to stop campaigners and voters spreading the virus. | The senate elections were postponed in October in a bid to stop campaigners and voters spreading the virus. |
The election is being held just days after neighbouring Sierra Leone clamped down on public gatherings. | The election is being held just days after neighbouring Sierra Leone clamped down on public gatherings. |
It has banned Sunday trading, restricted travel between districts and prohibited public celebrations over Christmas and the New Year. | It has banned Sunday trading, restricted travel between districts and prohibited public celebrations over Christmas and the New Year. |
One of Sierra Leone's top doctors, Victor Willoughby, died from Ebola on Thursday, just hours after the arrival of experimental drug ZMab which could have been used to treat him. | One of Sierra Leone's top doctors, Victor Willoughby, died from Ebola on Thursday, just hours after the arrival of experimental drug ZMab which could have been used to treat him. |
Healthcare workers are among those most at risk of catching Ebola because it is spread by bodily fluids and requires close contact with victims. | Healthcare workers are among those most at risk of catching Ebola because it is spread by bodily fluids and requires close contact with victims. |
In November Liberia's election commission chairman, Jerome Korkoya, urged candidates and supporters to follow public health regulations in the run-up to the senate elections. | In November Liberia's election commission chairman, Jerome Korkoya, urged candidates and supporters to follow public health regulations in the run-up to the senate elections. |
"For instance, the transportation of large groups of electorates by candidates clustered in vehicles and the congregation of huge number of people will be regulated," he said in a statement. | "For instance, the transportation of large groups of electorates by candidates clustered in vehicles and the congregation of huge number of people will be regulated," he said in a statement. |
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was in Liberia on Friday at the start of a two-day visit to countries affected by Ebola in West Africa. | UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was in Liberia on Friday at the start of a two-day visit to countries affected by Ebola in West Africa. |
After stepping off the plane, he washed his hands and had his temperature taken - two important practices to help stop the spread of the disease. | After stepping off the plane, he washed his hands and had his temperature taken - two important practices to help stop the spread of the disease. |
Mr Ban urged people to follow strict health regulations until the epidemic was over. | Mr Ban urged people to follow strict health regulations until the epidemic was over. |
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf lifted a state of emergency last month that was imposed in August to control the outbreak. | Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf lifted a state of emergency last month that was imposed in August to control the outbreak. |
It came after the WHO said there was "some evidence" that the number of cases in Liberia was "no longer increasing". | It came after the WHO said there was "some evidence" that the number of cases in Liberia was "no longer increasing". |