Assessing the Electoral Reform Bill’s Synergy with Local and International Recommendations on Electoral Reforms in Liberia and Regional and International Election Legislation Standards

The Liberian electoral architecture is evolving. Like in most countries in the region, the government has seen incremental changes to the electoral laws over the years. This has helped align the electoral laws to international and regional best practices. International and regional observers have made recommendations towards reforming some of the laws and practices of electoral administration. However, progress towards reforming the electoral laws has been slow and will affect the credibility of future elections if not addressed. Talks of reforming Liberia’s electoral framework, at least in small but meaningful parts, has for decades, been a hot-button issue amongst stakeholders, including the elections management body, the Legislature, the presidency, and local and international election observer groups. All of these stakeholders have made some recommendations on how changes to the current electoral legal framework could contribute to improving the integrity of the future Liberian elections, increase the inclusion of marginalized groups in the democratic process and governance, lessen the administrative bottlenecks of the National Elections Commission (NEC), reduce the growing wave of legal challenges to elections results and, speed up dispute resolution processes