Over the last two years since the ending of the Ebola Virus pandemic, two developments have been on the minds of Liberians and have resonated in their conversations, namely, UNMIL’s withdrawal and the 2017 Presidential and Legislative Elections. Despite some uncertainties at first, Liberians are faring well as state security forces have taken over security responsibilities around the country, people are going about their daily activities in a peaceful environment.
Apprehensions about the departure of UNMIL were related in part to the upcoming 2017 elections. Though the third since 2005 when Liberia returned to constitutional rule, the 2017 Presidential and Legislative Elections are landmark, as Liberians are reminded that not since 1944 has there been the transfer of executive powers from one democratically elected president to another.
Therefore, it is understandable that excitement and concerns fill the air. In this report, the Governance Commission has sought to study the electoral system with a view to contributing to delivering peaceful and credible elections. The report examines the electoral rules and procedures, management structures of elections and the preparation for several phases of the process. It also recalls past electoral challenges from which lessons should be learned
