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Report of an Electoral Assessment and Planning Mission to Liberia: April 4-25, 2004
With the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Accra in August 2003, Liberians committed themselves to political, versus military, competition for the control of Liberia’s reconstruction. This commitment places added importance on the electoral process as the means through which the political competition will be carried out. The signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement agreed to reform Liberia’s electoral system prior to the conduct of the 2005 elections. A major challenge, however, is how this electoral system can serve as a framework for political competition beyond 2005. In April 2004, IFES fielded a technical planning mission to examine the electoral environment and suggest a strategy for international support for the electoral process. Among the key findings were: 1. Liberians must be involved in all aspects of the process for the CPA-mandated October 2005 elections to leverage the maximum opportunity to bring the nation to a state of peaceful transition; 2. The electoral framework – detailing the legal provisions, the type of electoral system, the nature of the elections to be held, and other aspects of the electoral process – must be agreed upon no later than October 2004 to allow sufficient time for election preparations. Such a framework should be endorsed by Liberia’s stakeholders; 3. Timely, coordinated and robust international assistance at all stages and levels of the electoral process is necessary to create an environment for a successful outcome and to ensure that the best practices of transitional political processes are put into place; and 4. The international community will have to cover the majority of the cost of the elections, as well as provide considerable assistance to the resulting elected and appointed institutions responsible for Liberia’s reconstruction. This report contains recommendations for both the National Elections Commission (NEC) and its partners in the international community. Some of the key recommendations include: • To ensure that Liberian stakeholders are supportive of the electoral framework, that it meets Liberia’s needs and that it conforms to international standards, the process that leads to the establishment of the electoral framework must be perceived as inclusive and legitimate, while drawing on international best practices and principles. As such, it is recommended that fora be provided for NEC and Liberian political and civic actors to consider the various major issues. The international community should support the electoral reform process and provide technical assistance to facilitate the drafting of the resultant electoral framework. • International assistance will need to be provided to build the capacity of the National Elections Commission to organize and conduct the elections and to ensure the credibility of the electoral process. • The international community and the National Transitional Government of Liberia will need to provide timely and complete support to the elections budget. Any delays in the provision of financing and material will negatively impact the elections timeline. Once the electoral framework is finalized, the full costs for the elections will be known. However, priority at this point should be given to financing the NEC’s current personnel and operational costs, including the re-establishment of its presence in the counties, and voter education. • International assistance should support: o The administration of the elections: To support the conduct of a credible and efficient process through the provision of: i. A Chief Electoral Advisor and/or international members on the National Elections Commission to support the development of policy and procedures and the overall management of the electoral process; ii. Technical advisors to assist NEC headquarters and county offices in implementing the electoral framework; iii. Financial, material and logistical support. o The resolution of electoral disputes during all phases of the electoral process: To enable the timely arbitration and resolution of electoral disputes through the establishment of an Election Dispute Tribunal; and o Electoral participation: To promote a level political playing field and informed participation in the electoral process by Liberia’s citizens. International assistance should be well-timed and initiatives effectively coordinated to avoid duplication of effort and to maximize impact.
April 03, 2004
Election Material
Resolution
Comprehensive Peace Agreement Between the Government of Liberia and LURD and MODEL
Comprehensive Peace Agreement Between the Government of Liberia and the Liberians United for Reconcilation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) and Political Parties
Publication
Report/Paper
Strengthening the Local Electoral Process December 2002 Local Elections. IFES Final Report
This report summarizes IFES involvement in Benin’s 2002 local elections. The 2002 elections served as a precursor to the 2003 legislative and 2006 presidential elections. The report discusses IFES’ implementation of a two-phase voter education campaign attempting to bolster transparency and voter confidence throughout Benin. The report details IFES coordination with local NGOs, Media outlets and the decentralization process in Benin. The report concludes with recommendations for future election.
December 31, 2002
Election Material
Ballot
Benin Presidential Ballot First Round 2001
First round Presidential Ballot from the March 2001 elections in Benin. The President is elected by popular vote to serve a 5-year term. The main canidates in the first round were Mathieu KEREKOU, Bruni AMOUSSOU, Nicephore SOGLO, and Adrieu HOUNGBEDJI.
Publication
Report/Paper
Manual de Planificacion para Elecciones Transitorias, Republica de Cuba
This report is a compendium of ideas and practices that might be useful for future Cuban officials and non-governmental leaders who are beginning a transition to democracy, or who are contemplating seeking reform of the current regime. The document discusses the minimum international norms and standards for free and fair elections, as well as the legal, constitutional and administrative options that are available to transition authorities.
It
also offers ideas, based on examples from countries around the world, about what will be needed to establish and support an honest, efficient and transparent system of election administration, and what role the international community might be invited to play in that process.
June 29, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Transitional Election Planning Manual (Executive Summary), Republic of Cuba
This report is a compendium of ideas and practices that might be useful for future Cuban
officials and non-governmental leaders who are beginning a transition to democracy, or who
are contemplating seeking reform of the current regime. The document discusses the minimum international norms and standards for free and fair elections, as well as the legal, constitutional and administrative options that are available to transition authorities.
It
also offers ideas, based on examples from countries around the
world, about what will be needed to establish and support an honest, efficient and transparent system of election administration, and what role the international community might be invited to play in that process.
June 29, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Transitional Election Planning Manual Republic of Cuba
This report is a compendium of ideas and practices that might be useful for future Cuban
officials and non-governmental leaders who are beginning a transition to democracy, or who
are contemplating seeking reform of the current regime. The document discusses the minimum international norms and standards for free and fair elections, as well as the legal, constitutional and administrative options that are available to transition authorities.
It
also offers ideas, based on examples from countries around the
world, about what will be needed to establish and support an honest, efficient and transparent system of election administration, and what role the international community might be invited to play in that process.
June 29, 1999
Election Material
Ballot
Benin Legislative Ballot 1999
Thirty five parties contested the 1999 Legislative Elections in Benin in a closed-list proportional representation system. They competed for 83 seats in the unicameral National Assembly to serve 4-year terms.
Publication
Report/Paper
Evaluation of Fondation Hirondelle/Star Radio Project, Monrovia, February 7, 1999
This report offers background on the Star Radio project, as well as general information on the Liberian political and economic climate in Liberia. The report also provides an evaluation of the station itself, with an analysis of it structure and organization, programming, resources, financing and budget. The final section of the report outlines a mid-to long-range business plan, building on Star’s rapid response phase.
February 06, 1999
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Register Today and Vote Tomorrow
This advertisement encouraging voter participation shows a hand placing a ballot into a ballot box to emphasize the role that each Liberian has in the election system. Entitled “Register Today and Vote Tomorrow,” this document was published by the Elections Commission of Liberia and was funded by USAID and IFES.