Liberian President George Weah seeks a second term in a rematch with his main challenger from 2017

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Liberian President George Weah is seeking a second term in office Tuesday, hoping that his efforts to pave roads, build hospitals and bring electricity to more areas will win votes despite growing economic hardships in the West African nation.

He faces a crowded field of 19 challengers, led by his main rival from the last election in 2017, Joseph Boakai, who served as vice president under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically elected female leader.

“I want to tell you, my fellow Liberians, I have done well," Weah, a 57-year-old former international soccer star, said in his closing campaign message at his party's headquarters in the capital, Monrovia.

Boakai, though, has campaigned on promises to rescue Liberia from what he calls Weah's failed leadership, dubbing himself and his running mate “Rescue 1” and “Rescue 2.”