The general election, held on 10 October 2017, was the start of a process to elect a new president and members of the Legislature. This process was completed on 26 December 2017, as voters went to the polls to elect a new president in a highly contested runoff. 

These are the first competitive elections in over 50 years that Liberian institutions have been solely responsible for managing. On 29 December 2017, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced the winner of the runoff, and the inauguration of the new president is scheduled to take place on the second working Tuesday of January 2018, in line with the law. 

International and national observer organizations all concluded that the elections met key standards and were credible, transparent, and professionally managed. The election result will lead to a new administration and president being sworn in to presidential office. 

As the United Nations Mission to Liberia prepares to drawdown in the next months, these elections represent a historical milestone for Liberia. The successful completion of these elections follows an appeal against the first-round election to the Supreme Court that was rejected by the court. All sides in the appeal agreed to respect the judgement, demonstrating a strong commitment to pre-election statements to respect the rule of law. 

Overall, the security environment was peaceful for the runoff on 26 December 2017. Voting and counting were conducted in an open and transparent manner and monitored by over 4,000 national and international election observers and political party agents. 

The UNDP throughout this process was a key partner to the National Elections Commission, which had the overall responsibility for delivering the 2017 general elections. The UNDP and partners, the European Union, Ireland, Sweden, and Canada, provide technical support to the elections commission. Direct support to the 2017 election included assistance by key election experts and technical advice from Chief Technical Advisor, procurement of equipment and training materials to conduct the voter registration process, training materials and support for training of 18,000 temporary election staff in advance of the 10 October 2017 election, training for 7,200 security officers, and training in complaints and appeals for 42 hearing officers and clerks. 

The project has also supported logistics and operational planning, a nationwide civic and voter education campaign that reached over 1 million Liberians, provided legal support to the National Elections Commission in its legal challenges and supported an ECOWAS team of IT experts who provided support with the voter registry. 

Technical expertise was also provided to the election commission’s data processing unit that designed a secure data system for the election results management. In partnership with the Government of Japan, UNDP also supported deployment of security personnel for these elections, by providing living allowances and communications support for the police and other security forces. 

A key principle in the project’s approach is the idea that election assistance is most effective and sustainable when it works throughout the electoral cycle, building national capacity and capabilities in the field of elections. With a budget of USD 16.6 million, out of which USD 10 million are provided by the EU, the project is scheduled to continue until 2019. 

H.E. Ingrid Wetterqvist, Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, stated, “The Swedish support is firmly based on the new Swedish Strategy for Development Cooperation in Liberia 2021-2025, and, in particular, strengthened democratic governance and rights, including Women’s Political Participation and Leadership, while peace is further consolidated through the higher levels of capacities, integrity, transparency and accountability amongst the electoral stakeholders.” 

She added, “In addition, a part of the upcoming support from Sweden will also encompass supporting Civil Society, with particular emphasis on election observation.  Thus, providing a balanced and comprehensive package of support to electoral assistance.” 

Sweden’s commitment to supporting both the Liberia National Elections Commission (NEC) and UNDP efforts to strengthen electoral and democratic processes in Liberia dates to 2010-2014 when funding was provided for elections basket fund. 

The support to LESP will target inclusion, with a specific focus on women’s political participation, civic and voter education, capacity development of electoral and democratic institutions, as well as prevention of electoral violence. 

Acting UNDP Resident Representative Violet Baffour observed “Sweden has been an essential partner in UNDP Liberia’s work to develop the capacity of accountable, just, and peaceful institutions that support democratic and electoral processes. Together we are committed to continuing to provide sound and sustainable support to Liberia as it strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and its Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.” 

The main objective of LESP is to strengthen electoral and democratic institutions and processes in Liberia, focusing on strengthening inclusion and transparency of the electoral process, enhancing institutional capacity and accountability of electoral stakeholders, and strengthening the peaceful conduct of elections, with particular attention to early warning mechanisms, the conduct of security forces, and violence against women in elections. 

Sweden recognizes the overall need to focus on a process-based approach in terms of electoral assistance as opposed to the event-driven approach – for the benefit of the entire country. Effective electoral planning and budgeting is critical here and is also dependent on strong political will and institutional reforms. 

The human rights-based approach is also guiding the Swedish support which embraces principles of inclusiveness and participation, with a focus on increasing women’s participation in politics and focusing on the poorest and most marginalized, in the process building on lessons of earlier electoral processes. Robust Civic and Voter Education plays a key role here, in building a stronger democratic culture. 

Comprehensive planning and support to the NEC and the Government of Liberia on Effective Electoral Planning and Budgeting and Procurement processes will decrease electoral costs ahead of elections. When there is a high level of transparency and integrity in the electoral process, it in turn contributes to minimizing any tension and unnecessary risks of violence.