About The Center

The goal of the EC Bilateral Election Programme in Liberia was to contribute to peaceful elections in 2005: elections that conform to international standards, express the will of the Liberian people, and contribute to long-term stability and a sustainable culture of conflict-free democracy. These aims were consistent with the broader objectives of restoring a legitimate government in Liberia that is more accountable to its own citizens and attentive to its international responsibilities. The programme also focused on deepening a culture of democracy and reducing the national and regional threat posed by a return to violent conflict. The EC Bilateral Election Programme in Liberia engaged with Liberian citizens, civil society organisations, political parties, and the National Electoral Committee to ensure a credible, inclusive, and transparent process that was accepted by the major stakeholders.

Read Liberia Election Watch, Issue No. 1, Aug. 4, 2005 (PDF), a joint report of The Carter Center and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

 
The EC Bilateral Election Programme in Liberia established an office in the capital, Monrovia, as well as three rural resource centres in Gbarnga (Bong county), Harper (Maryland county), and Voinjama (Lofa county). Democracy resource officers were stationed in each resource centre and worked closely with local representatives of the National Electoral Committee, civil society organisations, and political parties to ensure the widespread distribution of high-quality voter education materials. Officers and local representatives also supported the nationwide monitoring of the election process by local groups and the full, equitable, and transparent participation of all political parties in the election.

The EC Bilateral Election Programme in Liberia activities included:

• Organisation of civic and voter education forums
• Support to civil society organisations for the development of voter education materials and activities
• Support to civil society organisations for training and deployment as election monitors
• Facilitation of dialogue with National Electoral Committee officials and political party representatives, and
• Support to political parties and radio stations to ensure broad outreach of voter education messages and political party messages.

Read the Web log of Democracy Resource Officer Jeff Austin, former Carter Center intern, who shares his experiences in the field. Working closely with local Liberian election officials, civil society organizations, and political party representatives, six Democracy Resource Officers - including Jeff - were based among the three rural resource centres: Gbarnga (Bong county), Harper (Maryland county), and Voinjama (Lofa county).