Voters' turnout in the final round of election for the Montserrado senatorial seat, between the ruling Unity Party and the Congress for Democratic Change, was far poorer than the first round when 20% of an estimated 477,000 voters cast their ballots.

A survey of polling stations early Tuesday, declared a holiday to afford voters the chance to cast their ballots, showed near-empty stations.

Markets were overcrowded with sellers and buyers, indication of how pleas from the parties to their members to vote were ignored.

Voters stayed away despite last hour campaigns of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and football star George Weah to woo their supporters out for their respective candidates-UP's Clemenceau Urey and CDC's Geraldine Doe Sherif.

Mr. Weah, beefed-up by new allies, roamed around the capital, visiting shantytowns, till evening hours on float-like trucks, while the President's motorcade toured key areas around the city.