Liberians on Wednesday are awaiting the results of the country's second national election since the end of its 14-year civil war.

A National Election Commission official said late Tuesday that the election went smoothly, with no reports of unrest.

Officials say initial results will be announced on Thursday, although final results are not expected to come until October 26. If no candidate wins an outright majority, a run-off will be held.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is facing a tough fight for a second term, just days after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Mrs. Sirleaf voted in her home village an hour outside the capital of Monrovia. Afterward, she acknowledged that many Liberians remain poor, but she said she has a “very good” chance at re-election.

In an interview with VOA, her main rival Winston Tubman predicted voters would choose his party, saying it has the “recipe” to unify the country.

Tubman's vice presidential candidate is George Weah, a former football (soccer) star who finished second to Mrs. Sirleaf in the 2005 presidential election.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commended Liberia for a smooth vote Tuesday, saying it was an “important milestone” in rebuilding peace and democracy in the country.

Liberians also cast votes for the Senate and House of Representatives.

Critics have questioned the timing of last Friday's announcement of the Nobel prize, which Mrs. Sirleaf won along with two other women. They say it could provide an unfair boost.

Opponents also criticized Mrs. Sirleaf for her record during the civil war, when for a time she backed warlord and former President Charles Taylor.

The Liberian leader has come under fire for ignoring last year's recommendations by Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission that she should be banned from public office for 30 years for her support of Mr. Taylor. He is on trial at the International Criminal Court in the Hague for war crimes charges in neighboring Sierra Leone.

Mrs. Sirleaf has acknowledged providing financing to Mr. Taylor but says she stopped when she became aware of his brutal tactics.

Tubman is a nephew of former Liberian President William Tubman.