What are the potentials and challenges for free, fair and democratic elections in Liberia in 2011?
Participants discussed some of the potentials as follows: National Elections Commission (NEC) has system in place to conduct general and presidential elections across the country; Liberia has an elected government in place; international community is heavily focusing on assisting Liberia; roads are being rehabilitated by Government and international partners, and more Liberians are involved in political activities.
Some of the challenges discussed included: Credibility or neutrality of NEC is being questioned by some political parties; Inadequate funding and logistics for conduct of elections; the Security environment; still poor road network in the country; impact of the ongoing post-election conflict in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire; More training needed for media personnel; lack of proper dissemination of information; and lack of respect for the rule of law in certain quarters.
Deliberating on the way forward in face of the challenges, participants at the meet up proposed as follows:
- Constitution should be fully adhered to;
- Increase incentive for security personnel
- Improve on road condition to make transport of election materials possible and timely;
- NEC and authorities should do all to ensure that elections are credible enough
- Address the critical issues of transportation and logistics;
- Improve efficient information delivery around elections;
- All parties should ensure that the conflict in Cote d’Ivoire is solved.
