FAQ » ABOUT POLITICAL PARTIES |
Why is there a run-off Presidential Election? According to the Liberian constitution, the President and Vice President must receive an absolute majority of the votes in order to win the election. An absolute majority means that the candidate receives fifty percent plus one votes of all valid votes. If no candidate receives an absolute majority, then there is a Run-off election between the two candidates who receive the most votes.
If the results of October 11, 2011 elections show that no presidential candidate obtains an absolute majority, NEC is mandated by Article 83 (b) of the Liberian constitution to conduct a run-off to determine the next President of Liberia.
Which parties/candidates are contesting the run-off?
The Run-off will be contested by two presidential candidates who will obtain the highest number of valid votes cast in the October 11 election.
When will the run-off be held?
According to the Liberia law, a run- off election is held within two weeks following the announcement of results of the ballot. The National Elections Commission, by the same law, has until October 26 October to announce results of the first round of voting and the possible run-off.
What is the role of other parties not contesting the Run-off?
All political parties even if they are not participating in the run-off they still have a stake in the electoral process. The accredited representatives may monitor the election to ensure that it is free, fair and transparent. Also, political parties that are not contesting the run-off may encourage their members who are registered voters to participate in the election.
Are parties/candidates that will contest the October 11 elections be allowed to nominate additional representatives to monitor the November 8 possible run-off?
All parties may nominate additional party representatives for accreditation by the National Elections Commission to monitor the election. The representatives of the two parties contesting the election may be present throughout the day at a polling place. If there are representatives of other political parties and a problem with space, the rotation will only apply only to those other party representatives.
What is the role of the party representatives?
Representatives may witness all processes at the polling place except the act of a voter recording his/her vote. Inside the place, representatives may not communicate with voters in any way.
During polling, the party/candidate representatives for the run-off election are allowed to stand to witness the polls from a visible position.
This step is to ensure the transparency of the process by allowing party/candidate representatives to observe the process of identification of the voter in the FRR.
Where can party/candidate representatives vote?
The party/candidate representatives, observers and the media must vote only at the polling places where they registered during the registration period.
What is the campaign period for the run-off?
The campaign period for the possible run-off election shall commence on the day following the announcement of final results, but NEC may announce the results earlier and the campaign shall end 24 hours before Election Day. Campaign guidelines issued by the NEC for the October 11 election remain in effect; parties and their supporters must campaign in compliance with these guidelines/regulations.
What regulates campaign expenditures?
Campaign expenditure limits set forth in the 1986 New Elections Law as amended by the 2004 Electoral Reform Law shall include the additional campaign period for the run-off Election.
As amended in Section 13 of the Campaign Finance Regulations, the post-election campaign finance report for candidates contesting the run-off Election shall be submitted fifteen (15) days after the official results of the run-off election are announced.
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On 26 May, Board of Commissioners, (BOC) submits US$ 91, 958,557.72 Bubget for 2023 General Elections to the 54th National Legislature of Liberia
