ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the democratic support that preceded the 2005 Liberian national elections and the role of the International Community (IC) in orchestrating elections. The Electoral Law Reform Law, approved 17 December 2004, established the legal framework for the 2005 elections, including right to vote by Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) and returnees, eligibility requirements, voter registration, voter identification, limitations of electoral funding and the re-establishment of electoral districts. The insistence of state-builders to include liberal democracy education with the voter education campaign may have compromised the popular legitimacy of the elections. This is because the public education campaign for the electoral proceedings was insufficient. The 2011 elections were the first post-conflict elections conducted according to the 1986 Constitution and the first in which the National Election Commission (NEC) was responsible for organising all aspects of the electoral process. The 2011 election experience, including intimidation of the opposition and electoral violence, further reduced confidence in Liberia's democracy.
