Liberian Political Parties Sign Electoral Code of Conduct

April 12, 2005

April 12-14 – IRI and its CEPPS partners in Liberia helped kick off Liberia’s campaign season with a conference entitled Promoting Peaceful and Legitimate Elections in Liberia in advance of national elections slated for October 2005. The event was attended by representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, the United Nations, Liberia’s transitional government, USAID, the U.S. Embassy and NGOs. The forum was held to address the four critical challenges to the upcoming October elections. The four key challenges: election administration, security, electoral participation and campaigning. The conference was divided into several plenary sessions. IRI, National Democratic Institute and IFES representatives delivered a session on campaigning, with discussions on vote-buying and codes of conduct.

A milestone was reached at the conference with the signing of the first-ever electoral Code of Conduct by 17 or Liberia’s 18 registered political parties in Liberia. The Code of Conduct determines rules of engagement, establishes the standards of acceptable behavior, and seeks to promote a peaceful and legitimate electoral process. The document was drafted by Liberia’s political parties with technical assistance from IRI and Development Consultant, a local Liberian political firm. The signing of the Code of Conduct and the success of the conference show promise for democratic development in Liberia.

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Related Links

2005 Political Parties' Code of Conduct

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