On 11 October 2005, within the framework of the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement, Liberia hosted its first democratic presidential
and general election since the protracted 14-year period of conflict.
A presidential run-off was held 8 November 2005.
UNDP provided key support during the elections process and included
participation of the elections budget, civic and voter education
and strengthening the NEC.
UNDP is supporting elections by:
• Management of the Liberia Emergency Governance Fund (LEGF);
• Managing the US$ 3 million contribution to elections by the
European Commission (EC)
• Building the capacity of the National Elections Commission (NEC);
• Supporting civic/voter education.
CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE NEC
UNDP assisted in building the capacity of the National Elections
Commission (NEC) to enable them to enforce electoral rules and
put in place systems, processes and procedures that will guarantee
independent, fair, transparent and democratic elections. The $18.9
million multi-donor budget is managed by UNDP through the DEX
Service Center.
In December 2004, UNDP sponsored a joint National Elections Commission
/ UNDP observer mission to the Ghanaian elections, providing the
NEC with the opportunity to experience the operational and technical
issues involved in the planning of elections, enabling them to
apply the lessons learned towards their own national elections.
CIVIC/VOTER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
Due to the breakdown of formal education and social structures
during the conflict, and the lack of experience regarding democratic
election processes, UNDP, the donor community, and the National
Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) undertook a comprehensive
and expansive civic/voter education campaign that is being continued
in conjuncation with the new Government of Liberia. In collaboration
with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and IFES, key national
civil society organizations (CSOs) are being trained and supported
to serve as conduits for the voter/civic education activities
nationwide. UNDP is also working in partnership with UNMIL and
IFES for the production and transportation of 160 billboards to
be distributed throughout the 15 counties.
Mobile Media Unit (MMU)
The aim of the Mobile Media Unit is to provide civic education
in the most hard to reach areas and to the most vulnerable groups.
The MMU is a self-contained film production center, which will
travel to all counties of Liberia. The unit will record, train,
document, and distribute the stories, information, public service
announcements, and documentaries that are most relevant to the
Liberian people.
PROGRAMME ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Procurement of electoral warehousing materials, office furniture,
and telecommunications equipment for the NEC field offices.
• UNDP signed MOUs with 12 key civil society organizations to
conduct civil/voter education nationwide.
• A Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop was conducted for more
than 60 community-based voter educators drawn from 25 CSOs;
• Contracts have been signed with the Liberia Community Radio
Network (LICORNET) for the airing of jingles, with the FLOMO THEATRE
for the production of a drama series, and the staging of dramas
in 77 districts involving 8 local drama groups. Each will be held
in the 16 local languages plus Liberian English;
• Printed over 1,000 copies of the Voter Registration Regulations;
and distributed over 500 copies of the Political Party Guidelines
and 20,000 copies of voter registration posters;
• 40 Voter Education Officers have been deployed to the counties
to work under the supervision of the UNMIL County Officers.
UNDP Liberia